Fadel Zeidan – Mindfulness and Pain

Fadel Zeidan – Mindfulness and Pain

Author: Mind & Life Institute May 18, 2023 Duration: 57:03
In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and pain researcher Fadel Zeidan. Fadel is one of the leading experts on understanding how mindfulness and other contemplative practices can be used to help relieve physical pain and promote well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in self, consciousness, mindfulness and the brain; bringing mindfulness to special education classrooms; historical use of mindfulness for pain; intensity vs. unpleasantness of pain; his early work showing that mindfulness induces pain relief; making mindfulness training more accessible; looking into the brain during pain; using "fake meditation" in research; understanding our natural opiate system and its role in pain relief; bringing rigor to research with placebo controls; the relationship of physical pain to more complex psychological pain; working with families of children who were killed by gun violence; studying psychedelics for phantom limb pain; role of the default mode network in pain and self; compassion meditation and increasing our connection to strangers; the opioid crisis in the United States; and the role of contemplation in larger society. Full show notes and resources

At the heart of Mind & Life is a simple, profound question: what is a mind, really? This isn't just a philosophical puzzle but a practical exploration of the mental habits that define our days. The conversations hosted by the Mind & Life Institute gently dismantle the walls between disciplines, weaving together insights from neuroscience and psychology with the lived wisdom of contemplative traditions. You’ll hear dialogues that feel less like interviews and more like shared discoveries, where a philosopher and a meditation teacher might find common ground on how attention works, or where a scientist discusses the social impact of compassion training. Each episode is an invitation to look inward with curiosity, examining how practices like meditation aren't about escape but about engaging with our inner world more skillfully. This podcast operates from the conviction that understanding our own minds is foundational to addressing broader cultural and societal challenges. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the mechanics of their own thoughts and emotions and sought a deeper, evidence-informed conversation about transformation. Tune in for a thoughtful blend of rigorous inquiry and personal relevance, where ancient questions meet modern investigation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

Mind & Life
Podcast Episodes
Otto Scharmer – Changing Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:54
In this episode, Wendy speaks with action researcher, changemaker, and thought leader Otto Scharmer. Otto is a world leader in systems change, and his work across disciplines highlights how awareness and the quality of o…
Neil Theise – Everything is Connected [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:57
In this episode, Wendy speaks with pathologist, scientist, author, and Zen Buddhist, Neil Theise. Neil's pioneering work in human anatomy has revolutionized our understanding of interconnectedness at the level of the bod…
Molly Crockett – Changing the World is a Group Project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:40
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and cognitive scientist Molly Crockett. Molly is a leader in studying moral cognition, with an emphasis on ethics, knowledge, and power in the digital age. This conversatio…
Jim Coan – Our Social Baseline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:35
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and affective neuroscientist Jim Coan. Jim is a leading researcher on how social connection impacts our minds, brains, and bodies, and he's also pushing the boundaries of i…
Chuck Raison – Ancient Practices & Conscious Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:12
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychiatrist and mental health researcher Chuck Raison. Chuck’s work centers on understanding how ancient practices can change our conscious experience. He’s a leader in studying the li…
Quinn Conklin – Mind-Body Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:25
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative researcher Quinn Conklin. Quinn's research examines the interconnection of mind and body, and the effects of stress and meditation training on biomarkers of health and wel…
Zev Schuman-Olivier – Mindfulness, Behavior Change, and Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:44
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychiatrist and contemplative researcher Zev Schuman-Olivier. Zev has been working for more than a decade to integrate mindfulness and compassion into health care, with a focus on addi…
Eve Ekman – Building Emotion Awareness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:36
In this episode, Wendy speaks with social scientist and meditation teacher Eve Ekman. Eve's work integrates contemplative practice and modern psychology to help people learn about and work with their emotions. This conve…
Dave Vago – Meditation, Neuroscience, and Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:51
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative neuroscientist Dave Vago. Dave has been studying the brain, meditation, and the self for over two decades, and has developed several models of how mindfulness might work f…
Tawni Tidwell – Between Life and Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:14
In this episode, Wendy speaks with biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medical doctor Tawni Tidwell. Tawni's research focuses on living—and dying—with greater awareness and well-being, and integrates multiple biologic…