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: 94

Mind & Life
Podcast Episodes
David Creswell – Exploring Equanimity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:06
In this episode, Wendy speaks with social psychologist and contemplative researcher David Creswell. David has been studying the effects of meditation on stress and resilience for over a decade, and has conducted some of…
Jenny Mascaro – Compassion in Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:16
In this episode, Wendy speaks with biological anthropologist and contemplative researcher Jenny Mascaro. Jenny's work weaves together meditation, compassion, psychology, and healthcare, and moves us toward a deeper under…
Elissa Epel – Mind, Body, and Stress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:48
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative health psychologist and stress researcher Elissa Epel. Elissa studies how mindfulness, meditation retreats, and breathing techniques can help buffer stress processes, biol…
Matthieu Ricard – Compassion and Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
In this episode, Wendy speaks with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many…
Jamie Bristow – Policy, Practice, and Planet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:45
In this episode, Wendy speaks with mindful policy advocate and contemplative teacher Jamie Bristow. Jamie co-directs the Mindfulness Initiative in the UK, an organization that bridges contemplative practice and public po…
Amy Cohen Varela – The Power of Undoing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:40
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist and contemplative Amy Cohen Varela. In addition to her work as a psychoanalytic therapist, Amy is also the widow of Francisco Varela (co-founder of the Mind & Life…
Zindel Segal – Mindfulness and Depression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:31
In this episode, Wendy speaks with renowned clinical psychologist, researcher, and co-developer of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Zindel Segal. Zindel's work has brought relief to many who suffer from depres…
Randima Fernando – Humane Technology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:37
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Randima (Randy) Fernando, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. Over several decades, Randy has worked to integrate technology, mindfulness, and social impact, trying to find…
Yuria Celidwen - Indigenous Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:20
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative scholar and Indigenous activist Yuria Celidwen. Yuria has worked across many sectors to bring Indigenous ways of knowing into conversation with Western approaches, particu…
Norm Farb - Meditation and the Brain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:57
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative researcher Norm Farb. Norm was one of the first people to study how meditation impacts our brains, and his broader work incorporates emotions, body sensations, and present…