Jyoti Mishra – Mindfulness and Climate Trauma

Jyoti Mishra – Mindfulness and Climate Trauma

Author: Mind & Life Institute April 18, 2024 Duration: 1:02:02
In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and mental health researcher Jyoti Mishra. Jyoti has been investigating how mindfulness and attention training affect our brains, and can help in the context of mental health challenges related to climate disasters and other trauma. This conversation covers many topics, including: her intertwined interests in neuroscience, meditation, and mental health; understanding climate trauma and its unique impacts on mental health; community resilience and action in the face of disaster; the rise of mental health issues worldwide; studying the mental health and brain function impacts of the deadliest fire in CA history; healing broken relationships with nature through mindfulness and ecotherapy; social justice issues around climate vulnerability; how childhood adversity affects brain circuitry for emotional awareness; developing contemplative tech interventions for disadvantaged youth, and impacts on brain and daily life functioning; nature and the sense of self; regulating the stress response through mindfulness and social connection; and empowering youth through the Climate Change & Mental Health Initiative. 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
Emeran Mayer – Biological Interconnectedness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
In this episode, Wendy speaks with gastroenterologist, author, and microbiome researcher Emeran Mayer. Emeran is a world renowned expert in the connections between the gut and the mind, and brings a biological lens to th…
Rob Roeser – Transforming Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
To begin our seventh season, Wendy speaks with contemplative educator and developmental psychologist Rob Roeser. Rob has been working to re-envision the educational system for decades, and has been at the forefront of un…
sujatha baliga – Healing Through Restorative Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:40
In this episode, Wendy speaks with lawyer, activist, and restorative justice expert sujatha baliga. sujatha’s work reimagines our current legal and justice system in the United States, and emphasizes the full humanity of…
Fadel Zeidan – Mindfulness and Pain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 physi…
Brendan Ozawa-de Silva – Embodied Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:50
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and contemplative educator and researcher Brendan Ozawa-de Silva. Brendan has been studying and teaching mindfulness and compassion for over a decade, and has lately be…
Ed Taylor – Leading by Example [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
In this episode, Wendy speaks with University of Washington vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Ed Taylor. Ed has made major contributions in the areas of contemplative education and leadership, with…
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…