When you hear the word ‘hypnosis’, you might think of a swinging pendulum, or envision someone on a stage, showcasing a rare skill to a captivated audience. What you probably don’t think of – is hypnosis being used in a medical setting, by physicians. Stanford Professor Dr. David Spiegel joins the podcast to discuss how he has incorporated self-hypnosis into his medical practice. Check out the REVERI app for self-hypnosis at https://www.reveri.comThis episode is sponsored by UNCERTAIN THINGS. Check out the podcast at https://uncertain.substack.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be not the biggest deal – but for others, it might significantly impact their lives. But what if there were a way to change your height … to go from shorter to taller? Enter the surgery known as leg lengthening, a procedure designed to help people get taller. Actor Rich Rotella joins the podcast to share his recent experience undergoing leg lengthening surgery. Learn more about Rich Rotellahttps://www.youtube.com/c/RichRotellahttps://www.instagram.com/richrotellaofficial/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22383626/Learn more about Leg Lengthening Surgeryhttps://www.youtube.com/c/Cyborg4LifeThis episode is sponsored by the podcast, A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk Into a Bar. https://pastorandphilosopher.buzzsprout.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States did not exist until the Europeans settled the lands, while in reality, these lands were populated by indigenous peoples for centuries prior. With the arrival of the Europeans, there were tragic economic implications, massive losses of land and rapid spread of disease that had devastating effects on the indigenous peoples. Perhaps most tragic was the Indian residential schools policy and initiative that took indigenous children away from their families, where their culture was eradicated. Theodore Fontaine, a member and former Chief of the Sagkeeng Ojibway First Nation, joins the podcast to share his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us don't know what to make of napping; does napping provide health benefits, or is that just something we tell ourselves when we feel guilty for dozing off? Professor Sara Mednick is a cognitive neuroscientist and a leading expert on napping. She joins the podcast to share what she's learned from studying napping in her seven-bedroom sleep lab!Learn more about Sara Mednick: https://www.saramednick.comhttp://sleepandcognitionlab.orgThis episode is sponsored by A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar: https://pastorandphilosopher.buzzsprout.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many preconceptions about what is entailed in transitioning, both from a medical and a surgical perspective. In this episode, Zale speaks with a urologist who specializes in transition-related surgeries at the University of Toronto. Below is a link to a previous episode we ran called 'The Transgender Experience', which delves more into the personal experience of someone who has transitioned themselves: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/48733119This episode is sponsored by Uncertain Things - https://uncertain.substack.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The works and plays of William Shakespeare have endured for centuries. But what is it about Shakespeare that has made his works such a mainstay in our culture for so long? Are his works truly as transcendent as one would think, or are there other reasons that explain his enduring legacy? Cassidy Cash, a historical map illustrator and host of That Shakespeare Life, the #2 Shakespeare history podcast in the world, joins the podcast. Learn more about Cassidy at www.cassidycash.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part of 'The American Dream' is predicated on home ownership. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is a financially sound and important decision to buy a home rather than to rent from a landlord. But is this just something we've been indoctrinated to believe, or does the math really add up to support the financial wisdom of owning a home? Brad Barrett of the ChooseFI podcast joins the show.Subscribe to Brad's weekly newsletter at Choosefi.com/subscribe for Brad’s weekly newsletter Check out ChooseFI's latest episode that further delves into home ownership - https://www.choosefi.com/common-sense-spending-guidelines-ep-381/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Pisces. These are just a few of the Zodiac signs in the world of astrology. But what exactly is astrology, and why do so many people follow it so closely? Is there any scientific evidence that the movement and positions of celestial objects in the solar system truly influences human affairs? Is astrology more akin to a science, a religion, or neither? Astrologer Mick joins the podcast to shed light on this often misunderstood topic. Check out unsiloed podcast at https://www.unsiloedpodcast.comGet your copy of our latest book, Preconceived, on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Preconceived-Challenging-preconceptions-our-lives/dp/B0BBY7KL2X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YI8CVPAB2XKY&keywords=preconceived&qid=1664636795&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=preconceived%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Survivor is the most iconic reality television competition of the last twenty years. And Todd Herzog, the winner of Survivor's 15th season, is one of the show's most iconic winners. Todd joins the show to shed some light on what it's really like to play Survivor, and how his life changed when he came back to regular society. He also shares personal reflections on his battle with addiction and how that has been misrepresented in pop culture. Check out Todd's Pop Shop on instagram @toddspopshopGet your copy of 'Preconceived' TODAY, available in Paperback and Kindle, at https://www.amazon.com/Preconceived-Challenging-preconceptions-our-lives/dp/B0B7QJPQDK . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The much anticipated anthology, "Preconceived: Challenging the preconceptions in our lives" launches today on Amazon ! The book is a collection of stories, thoughts, and beliefs of over fifty of the guests who have been featured on our award-winning podcast. In this episode, we provide a sneak peak 'audiobook' look into what the collection has in store, with Zale as well as four contributors reading their respective book chapters. Get your copy of 'Preconceived' TODAY, available in Paperback and Kindle, at https://www.amazon.com/Preconceived-Challenging-preconceptions-our-lives/dp/B0B7QJPQDK . All profits from the book will be going to the charitable organization, Pencils for Kids. https://pencilsforkids.comCheck out the podcast, Uncertain Things, at https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uncertain-things/id1529979654 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people veer away from dangerous places. Yet there are some people in this world, who not only don’t avoid such places, but rather seek them out; journalists who report on some of the most dangerous and devastating conflicts in the world. So why would somebody risk their life, in some cases, to report on deadly conflicts far away? Why would somebody become a war correspondent, and what does the job entail? War correspondent Sam Mednick joins the podcast. Follow Sam on twitter at @sammednickCheck out the podcast - Uncertain Things - at https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uncertain-things/id1529979654 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might have heard of the term NFTs, short-form for non-fungible tokens. Some NFTs include virtual memorabilia such as art pieces and virtual real estate, worth upwards of millions of dollars, while other NFTs serve what one might consider more practical purposes. But what is exactly is an NFT, and how does it fit into our economy? Dr. Merav Ozair, a global leading expert on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, joins the podcast.I’m joined today by Dr. Meravo Ozair. Dr. Ozair is a global leading expert on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, with a background of a data scientist and a quant strategist. She has in-depth knowledge and experience in global financial markets and its market microstructure. Currently, Dr. Ozair applies her unique expertise to researching and investigating distributed ledger technology (DLT) and Blockchain ecosystem, digital assets, crypto markets and specifically, decentralized finance (DeFi) space and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). She is a FinTech professor at Rutgers Business School (RBS), where she has developed and teaches courses on blockchain and digital assets. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the World Scientific Series in FinTech at World Scientific Publishing, and has been frequently interviewed on blockchain, NFTs and DeFi space by world-wide media, such as Bloomberg, BBC, New York Times, Forbes, and more.Learn more about Dr. Merav Ozair at doctorblockchain.io Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Money can’t buy you happiness” … so the adage goes. But deep down, most people would probably still prefer to have more money in their pockets if given the opportunity. And despite the notion that money perhaps does not equal happiness, many people do spend their lives with a primary goal of making more money. So what is the actual impact of money on happiness? Clay Cockrell, a psychotherapist who works with ultra-high-networth individuals, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In modern 'Western' society, it is routine for women giving birth to be under the care of a physician in a hospital. The preconception is that the safest and most normal birth process should take place in a licensed healthcare setting under the supervision of an MD. But, there are many women who opt for a different birth experience, that is, under the care of a midwife, either in the hospital or in the comfort of their own home. Midwife Alyssa Byers-Heinlein joins the podcast.Check out the podcast, Curious State! You can find episodes at https://pod.link/curiousstate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many actors do their best to 'make it' in the entertainment industry. But does talent always win out? What are the factors that help or hurt someone's foray into acting? And equally as important, how do talent agents go about finding and selecting the talent they want to feature? Talent manager Shari Quallenberg joins the podcast. Learn more about Shari at https://amiagency.ca/about-us/Check out the How Do We Fix It podcast at www.howdowefixit.me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be absolutely certain in our choice of a romantic partner and that there should be no doubts when we ultimately decide on 'the one'. But is that a realistic framework for love? And how can the search for the Hollywood vision of love, in some cases lead to severe cases of relationship anxiety, otherwise known as relationship OCD (ROCD)? Kiyomi LaFleur, founder of Awaken into Love, joins the podcast.www.awakenintolove.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a long time now, people have been ‘living online’, so to speak, communicating and maintaining friendships via social media, and using the Internet to optimize many facets of their lives. For some though, ‘living online’ has taken on a much deeper meaning … becoming so immersed in virtual reality and gaming, that that can seem just as ‘real’ as life itself. With further developments in virtual reality, we have witnessed the development of what is now known as ‘the metaverse’. But what exactly is the metaverse? Alex Lambert, who works in Virtual Reality and Augmented Gaming, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How would you react if you found out that your parent was a monster? This hypothetical situation isn't far off from the experiences of the children of leading Nazis who participated in the Holocaust. Tania Crasnianski documented her research into the lives of the children of Nazis in her incredibly fascinating book, 'Children of Nazis'. She joins the podcast to share the insights from her work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We urge people to be creative, with phrases like ‘think outside the box’, and ‘push the envelope’. But for the most part, is all our talk of innovation and free thinking just rhetoric? Does society truly encourage people to think in new, and even radical, ways? Does society champion the rogue thinker, or does it rather support both students and professionals who simply follows suit with the status quo and acquiesce to the traditional lines of thinking? Jeff Schmidt, author of the 2000 book, Disciplined Minds: A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals and the Soul-Battering System That Shapes Their Lives, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel like you truly have a good grasp on your finances? Or do you ever wonder if you're just following the motions and simply 'trusting' in conventional financial wisdom in regards to savings and retirement? Brad Barrett, co-founder of the popular ChooseFI community, joins the podcast to discuss financial independence. ChooseFI website - https://www.choosefi.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doctors have been trained in pretty much the same way for many decades. Prior to any hands-on practical training, medical students spend about 2 years going through a series of lectures delivered by other doctors. In fact, this is the general model for how most professionals, and even undergraduate students, are trained – via in-person traditional sorts of lectures with a professor standing at the front of a large lecture hall, disseminating the information that is to be learned. But is this the best approach for learning, both in the context of medical school, and educational programs at large? Dr. Sanjay Sharma joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divorce is so common that it's reasonable to call into question the establishment of marriage itself. Does marriage in its current form still make sense? Do newer types of marriages, such as 'trial marriages' or 'short-term contract marriages' warrant more serious consideration before people plunge into the 'traditional marriage' model? Vicki Larson joins the podcast, a journalist and co-author of 'The New "I Do', alongside fellow co-author Susan Gadoua. Vicki's website - http://omgchronicles.vickilarson.com/bio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" dilemma regarding abortion is the centre of much heated debate in the United States. On a previous episode of the podcast, we spoke with an obstetrician regarding abortion in Canada and the United States and examined the concept of reproductive justice and why it is important for a woman to have the right to choose. On this episode, we are joined by Annette Lancaster, who identifies as pro-life. She describes her experience working at Planned Parenthood and sheds light on why she and many others hold the stance that they do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can be tough to understand how so many in the United States are on the 'pro-gun' side of the gun debate.  For many, the issue seems simple - "guns are bad, and we should do everything we can to limit them".  But what is the background of gun legislation?  What is the perspective of many people who support gun rights yet also share the same goal of lowering crime rates in the United States?  Trevor Burrus of the Cato Institute joins the podcast to shed some light on this complicated issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While cannabis has become legalized in many parts of the world, most other drugs not only remain illegal, but are actually criminalized. The opioids crisis has escalated even further during the COVID pandemic, and experts are revisiting the question of whether or not opioids should be decriminalized. So what is decriminalization? And is it a good idea? Dr. Sarah Elliott joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Influencers can include pretty much anyone who has a significant following on social media – whether it be chefs, models, actors, or celebrities of any sort. And there is a new type of influencer on the rise, the influencer that is also a mother - the 'Momfluencer'. I am joined today by Sara Petersen, author of the upcoming book MOMFLUENCED, coming out in 2023 from Beacon Press. twitter & instagram @slouisepetersen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divorce can be a very challenging part of someone’s life, filled with change, often sadness, and many other complex emotions. But aside from the emotional factors, there is a whole legal process that divorce entails. So what is it like to navigate through the legal system amid a divorce? What are some of the preconceptions about what one actually needs in a divorce lawyer and what the role of the divorce lawyer is? Lawyer Sean Valentine joins the podcast. https://www.epsteinlawyers.com/team/meet-sean/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan has a famously insular and unique culture. It is a country filled with a rich history and ethos that is quite distinct from any other country in the world. But what lies at the core of Japanese culture? What lessons about meaning, happiness, and contentment can we derive from a better understanding of this fascinating country? Erin Niimi Longhurst, author of the book 'Japonisme', joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We like to think of ourselves as in control of our own lives. But in an age of indulgence and addiction, do we really have as much agency over our decisions as we like to think? How does either a belief in a higher power or a belief in a purely materialistic world influence our perspective on free will? Psychiatrist Dr. Christian Heim joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine you could take a pill that would biologically halt the aging process. Barring any traumatic accidents or lethal infections, you could essentially live indefinitely at the same age you are today, perhaps until age 1,000 or beyond. Would you take that pill? Professor John Davis, author of New Methuselahs: The Ethics of Life Extension, joins the podcast. https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/new-methuselahs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and certain medications, is it possible to live well beyond a hundred years old and to slow the aging process itself? Dr. Jay Olshansky is one of the world leaders in the field. He joins the podcast to shed some misconceptions. http://sjayolshansky.com/sjo/Background.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When someone takes a life in our societies, they are punished severely and sent away to prison for many years. But for all the value placed on human life, there are certain societies in human history that have practiced human sacrifice. What lies at the core of this practice, and what do we know about the motivations involved? Johns Hopkins archaeologist and professor Glenn Schwartz joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walking through the meat aisle of a grocery store, do you ever wonder whether it is normal to eat animals? Even if you do think it is normal to eat animals, what about well-documented abuse of animals in the food industry? The veganism movement is associated with many preconceptions, both regarding the types of people who become vegans and the ideology itself. Dr. Corey Wrenn is a sociologist, social justice activist and a leading voice in the veganism movement, who joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We live in a world in which we have easy access to almost anything we want. We see something online that we want, and we can have it delivered to our home that same day. And while increased access and availability can be a good thing, it can also be a dangerous one. With limitless access to more seemingly benign pastimes such as shopping and social media, as well as more obviously concerning pastimes such as drugs, gambling, and porn, the predilection to addiction is perhaps stronger than ever. Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford Psychiatrist and author of Dopamine Nation, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us believe in science. We trust in the scientific method and the worldly truths that have been derived from a multitude of scientific disciplines. But is it possible that science has become too synonymous with truth? Has science been put on such a pedestal that the general public has come to blindly accept certain things as truths, even if the evidence isn't quite as robust as we might believe? Harvard Professor and astrophysicist Dr. John Johnson joins the podcast. Listen to John's previous episode, Mysteries of the Cosmos, at the following link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/16250600/mysteries-of-the-cosmos-repost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the brutal war in Ukraine continues, it can feel like we are entering unprecedented times. Perhaps the reason this war feels so shocking is that we have arguably been living in one of the most peaceful periods of human history over the past several decades. Wars initiated with the sole intent of expanding a country’s land mass and conquering another people, just aren’t nearly as common as they were a hundred years ago. So is this war in Ukraine merely a blip, or conversely, is the anomaly rather the relative period of peace we have experienced over the past several decades? Professor William Wohlforth joins the podcast. https://faculty-directory.dartmouth.edu/william-c-wohlforth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billions of dollars per year are spent on products and services for 'beautification'. Skin creams, exfoliants, cleansers; botox and other plastic surgery. How has society's definition of beauty come to be so intertwined with certain elements of physical appearance? And perhaps equally importantly, do these products and services even achieve what they promise? Beauty expert Jessica DeFino joins the podcast. https://www.jessica-defino.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is memory influenced by emotion? Are we more likely to remember an event accurately if it was associated with a strong emotion, or would high emotionality be more likely to distort a memory? How powerful is nostalgia, and do we tend to overly glorify past events in our life with the passage of time? Boston College Professor and memory expert Elizabeth Kensinger joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How accurate is the human memory? Dr. Elizabeth Loftus is a world-renowned psychologist who has devoted her career to studying the malleability of human memory. She joins the podcast to share what her research has shown regarding the accuracy of human memories, and explains how completely fabricated memories can actually be incepted into people's minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Much research has been conducted over the years that clearly outlines the numerous benefits of strong interpersonal relationships. But what actually constitutes a strong and meaningful friendship? Which elements of a friendship contribute to our own happiness? The Harvard Study of Adult Development began in 1938 and is the longest study to date to look at happiness. Dr. Robert Waldinger is the current head of the study and joins the podcast to share lessons about friendship derived from the research. The Lifespan Research Foundationhttps://www.lifespanresearch.org/harvard-study/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the last episode of Preconceived, palaeontologist Kallie Moore joined the show to discuss the evolution of sapiens from the original mammals and great Apes. We explored what we know about neanderthals and how our homo sapien ancestors interacted with them. In this subsequent episode, we discuss how homo sapiens spread around the world and surmise as to what the future of our species might look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The earth has existed for over 4.5 billion years. It can be tough to grasp that within those 4.5 billion years, humans have only existed for a few hundred thousand of them, a mere moment in time. So how did we, homo sapiens, come to be? Kallie Moore, paleontologist and co-host of the popular PBS YouTube channel Eons, joins the podcast. In this first of two episodes, Kallie walks listeners through the origin of our species from the Great Apes, and shares what knowledge we have on our historical interactions with the now extinct neanderthals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the West, when many of us in hear the word Communism, our minds likely flash to images ruthless dictators, like Stalin in the USSR and Mao in China. Or, we might think of the Cold War, where communism served as the philosophical and economic enemy of Western capitalism. But communism as it has been practiced over the last century actually emerged from the philosophies of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 1800s. So what was the initial idea behind communism, and how did the initial ideology morph over time in the twentieth century? Professor Terrell Carver joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a way, we are all philosophers, trying to make sense of this mysterious world, how we fit within it, and how we can live our happiest and most meaningful lives. But how far does all of the contemplation really get us? Is the world of philosophy merely a realm of overthinking and pontification, or does it truly yield to practical changes in the way we live our lives? Eric Weiner is an acclaimed journalist and former foreign correspondent for NPR. He joins the podcast to speak about his latest book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers.Eric Weiner Website - https://ericweinerbooks.comBut his book The Socrates Express - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z43PM23/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1Speaker LabsThis episode is sponsored by Speaker Labs. Sign up for their incredible online course. Use the promo code PRECONCEIVED at checkout for 50% off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are doctors really the heroes that some tv shows make them out to be? Is our medical system as idealistic as many patients try to believe? Dr. Samuel Shem helped shatter the illusion of the "medical fantasy" with his famous satirical novel The House of God many years ago. He joins the podcast to give a refreshingly honest glimpse into what it's really like being a doctor and how to best navigate the shortcomings of the healthcare system.Check out Shem's latest book - Man's 4th Best Hospitalhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07NTXS9HL/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1This episode is sponsored by Speaker LabsUse the code PRECONCEIVED at checkout to get 50% off their incredible online public speaking course. https://courses.speakerlabs.ca/sixweekprogram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aside from our genetics, there are many reasons why we might be different from our siblings. It has been well-documented that patterns in parental favouritism and sibling interactions affect our personalities, friendships and intelligence. Dr. Catherine Salmon, Professor of Psychology and author of The Secret Power of Middle Children, joins the podcast.Catherine Salmon's Bookhttp://www.thesecretpowerofmiddlechildren.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second of two episodes regarding death and the funeral process, funeral director Emily Bootle explains the process of embalming and the decision to have an open versus closed casket funeral. She ends by sharing lessons she has learned from working so closely with death and how they shape the way she lives her life.Koru Funeral Home http://korucremation.comEpilogue WillsThis episode is sponsored by Epilogue Wills. Check them out at http://epiloguewills.com and use the promo code PRECONCEIVED at checkout for a discount on your will. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For most, the word “death” conjures up emotions of fear and sadness. While death is one of the few certainties of life, it is something that most people would probably agree that you can never prepare for. But is there a different way to look at death and dying, perhaps with less of a negative sentiment? Funeral director Emily Bootle joins the podcast to share insights on death, dying and the funeral process.KORU Funeral Homehttps://www.korucremation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.