Neil Theise – Everything is Connected

Neil Theise – Everything is Connected

Author: Mind & Life Institute February 20, 2025 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 body and beyond. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in medicine & Buddhism; pathology as contemplative practice; how a mystery from the wall of the bile duct led to a new understanding of our bodies; overview of the interstitium; how the interstitium may relate to fascia, energy systems, chakras, meridians, and other traditional systems of healing; connecting healing traditions through a cultural interstitium; a meditation to visualize the interstitium; studying living vs. dead tissue; cell doctrine and reductionism; complexity theory and interconnectedness at all scales; Buddhist ideas of emptiness, interdependence, impermanence; randomness in a complex system and adaptability; and the power of an interconnected view. 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
Larry Barsalou - Habits of Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:01
In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive psychologist Larry Barsalou about his work on grounded cognition, concepts, stress, and habits. Their conversation covers many topics, including: a historical look at how psyc…
Sona Dimidjian - Bringing Relationship into Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:31
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist and contemplative researcher Sona Dimidjian. Sona's career has focused on using contemplative practices to improve mental health, with a focus on systems of inequa…
John Dunne - At the Crossroads of Buddhism and Science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:13
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar John Dunne. John has interfaced with contemplative scientists for over two decades to help advance rigorous research on meditation by incorporating a nuanced Buddhist p…
Eric Garland - Working with Addiction & Pain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical researcher and psychotherapist Eric Garland. Eric has spent his career developing effective ways to use mindfulness and other contemplative approaches for problems like addicti…
Anne Klein - The Wisdom of the Body [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:58
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and teacher Anne Klein. They speak about the role of the body in practice and transformation, and touch on many topics, including: her interest in Buddhism as a lens on…
Lisa Feldman Barrett - Your Emotions Aren't What You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:06
We launch our second season featuring a conversation with psychologist, neuroscientist, and emotion researcher Lisa Feldman Barrett. She and Wendy discuss a broad range of topics about the mind, including: her unexpected…
Jack Kornfield - Wisdom For Our Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:21
As 2020 draws to a close, Wendy speaks with Buddhist teacher, author, and psychologist Jack Kornfield in a special episode. Their conversation covers a wide range of topics, including: how he's interpreting our current m…
Adam Hanley - Taking Your Mind Off Autopilot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:17
In this bonus episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and contemplative researcher Adam Hanley. Adam studies mindfulness-based interventions for addiction and pain, seeking to understand how they work, and how they can b…
Andreas Roepstorff - Interacting Minds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
In this episode, Wendy speaks with anthropologist and neuroscientist Andreas Roepstorff. Andreas has been a pioneer in integrating these two approaches, examining how social context impacts the mind and brain. Their conv…
Evan Thompson - Expanding Our View of the Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:42
In this episode, Wendy speaks with philosopher of mind Evan Thompson about embodied cognition and contemplative science. Evan is one of the earliest contributors to advancing the dialogue between Buddhism and Western sci…