693. Jem Bendell

Professor Jem Bendell is a world-renowned scholar on the breakdown of modern societies due to environmental change. Downloaded over a million times, his Deep Adaptation paper is credited with inspiring the growth of the Extinction Rebellion movement in 2018, and created a global network of to reduce harm in the face of societal collapse. He completed his PhD at the University of Bristol and his Geography BA (Hons) at the University of Cambridge. For decades he worked on Sustainable Development as a researcher and NGO manager, as well as a consultant to businesses, political parties and UN agencies. One of his specialisms since 2011 is pro-social currency innovation, with his TEDx from that year explaining reasons for Bitcoin and similar. In 2017, he co-led the development of the UK Labour Party’s communications plan for the General Election and co-wrote speeches for their top politicians. Although recognised in 2012 as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Jem has been increasingly critical of the globalist agenda on sustainable development. Away from that work, he is partner in an organic farm school in Bali (bekandze.net) and supports meditation retreats at the main Buddhist Temple on the island.

Website: jembendell.com

Books:

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 28, 2023

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Professor Jem Bandel
  • 00:03:58 – Introducing “Breaking Together” and its Hypothesis
  • 00:07:56 – The Shift in Collective Consciousness
  • 00:11:47 – The Importance of the Dark Night of the Soul
  • 00:15:32 – The IPCC’s Desire for Consensus
  • 00:19:03 – Siloed Science and the Denial of Climate Change
  • 00:22:44 – A New Form, A New Identity Structure, A New Kind of Safety
  • 00:26:24 – Finding Inner Presence in Times of Chaos
  • 00:30:21 – Faith and the Sense of Time
  • 00:34:18 – The Catastrophic Risks of Climate Change
  • 00:38:04 – Climate Change and Public Dialogue
  • 00:41:35 – Debunking the Study on Free Will
  • 00:45:06 – The Importance of Ocean Health to Climate Change Awareness
  • 00:48:47 – Rejecting Activist Stunts and Embracing Community Preparedness
  • 00:53:20 – Indigenous Environmental Stewardship
  • 00:57:28 – Eternity and the Meaning of Life
  • 01:01:31 – A Vision for Freedom and Connection
  • 01:05:04 – Consciousness and Reincarnation
  • 01:08:40 – Collapse Acceptance and Joy
  • 01:12:30 – The Source of the Theory of Spiritual Awakening
  • 01:15:26 – The Possibility of Human Extinction
  • 01:18:54 – Examining Deep Stories and the Importance of Consciousness
  • 01:22:15 – Collective Consciousness and Spiritual Awakening
  • 01:26:14 – The Scientific Attitude and the Future of Human Society
  • 01:29:14 – Implications and Perspectives
  • 01:32:54 – Love Beyond Hope and Social Engagement as a Gift
  • 01:36:23 – The Cultural Breakthrough of the Beatles
  • 01:38:52 – Feeling Empathy for Others
  • 01:42:51 – Becoming Oceanic in Consciousness
  • 01:46:54 – The Meaning of Life and Personal Values
  • 01:50:05 – Conversation with Jem about his book

692. Ruth Kastner

Ruth E. Kastner earned her M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Maryland. Since that time, she has taught widely and conducted research in Foundations of Physics, particularly in interpretations of quantum theory. She was one of three winners of the 2021 Alumni Research Award at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the author of 3 books: The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Theory: The Reality of Possibility (Cambridge University Press, 2012; 2nd edition just published, 2022), Understanding Our Unseen Reality: Solving Quantum Riddles (Imperial College Press, 2015); and Adventures In Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality (World Scientific, 2019). She has presented talks and interviews throughout the world and in video recordings on the interpretational challenges of quantum theory, and has a blog at transactionalinterpretation.org. She is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Instructor Certification in February, 2020.

Website: ruthekastner.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Transcript and summary of this interview

Interview recorded October 21, 2023.

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:04:03 – The Importance of Physical Fitness and Yoga
  • 00:08:00 – Discovering the Transactional Interpretation
  • 00:11:58 – The Connection between Consciousness and Spirituality
  • 00:16:28 – The Yin-Yang Nature of Quantum Theory
  • 00:21:50 – The Reality of Quantum Possibilities
  • 00:26:08 – The Blind Men and the Elephant
  • 00:29:38 – The Measurement Problem and Consciousness
  • 00:36:21 – The Orthodox Position on Dark Matter and Dark Energy
  • 00:41:10 – Events and the Illusion of Space-Time
  • 00:44:08 – The Analogy of Enlightenment and the Game of Life
  • 00:47:10 – The Shimmering Intelligence in Every Particle of Creation
  • 00:53:15 – Pathology and the Neglect of Yin
  • 00:55:34 – The Taboo of Passivity and Eastern Wisdom
  • 00:58:00 – The Debate on Free Will
  • 01:00:39 – The Ad hoc Nature of the Feynman Propagator
  • 01:01:21 – The Flatland Analogy
  • 01:04:48 – Mr. Flatland and the Sphere
  • 01:08:16 – The Controversy Surrounding the Term “Consciousness”
  • 01:11:50 – Volition and Symmetry Breaking in Nature
  • 01:15:01 – The Relationality of Charged Particles
  • 01:18:22 – Understanding outcomes in the transactional picture
  • 01:21:52 – Mastery over the Laws of Nature
  • 01:24:56 – The Holographic Principle and its Significance
  • 01:29:23 – Quantum Theory and the Physical World
  • 01:33:25 – The Power and Limitations of Physical Science
  • 01:43:30 – The Interconnectedness of String Theory
  • 01:49:12 – The Flow of Time and Phenomena
  • 01:54:24 – The Cosmos: Conscious Being or Product of Chance and Necessity

691. Jennifer Lisa Vest

Jennifer Lisa Vest is a scientist, philosopher, and intuitive. She holds a PhD in Indigenous Philosophy from UC Berkeley, an MA in History from Howard, and a BA in Physics from Hampshire College. Her first career was as a philosophy professor at Seattle University and the University of Central Florida. Spiritually, Vest is a Medical Intuitive, an Akashic Records reader, a certified Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique practitioner, and a Master Reiki practitioner, and has been trained in the traditions of African American Hoodoo., Native American Sweatlodge, Jamaican Revivalism, Trinidadian Shango, and Spiritualism from community elders.

Books:

Websites:

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Transcript and summary of this interview

Interview recorded October 7, 2023.

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:05:40 – Childhood Experiences with Spirits and Mediumship
  • 00:10:31 – Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over
  • 00:15:33 – Simultaneous Lifetimes
  • 00:20:35 – The Unsustainability of Society and Potential Collapse
  • 00:25:43 – The Importance of Being of Service in Spiritual Work
  • 00:30:36 – Indigenous Apprenticeship Programs
  • 00:35:22 – Dangers of Pretending to be a Medicine Person
  • 00:40:16 – Preparing for an Altered State Experience
  • 00:44:59 – The Importance of Humility in Psychic Work
  • 00:49:40 – Importance of Humility and Sensitivity to Client Needs
  • 00:54:02 – Client Needs vs Practitioner’s Perspective
  • 00:58:18 – Tapping into Higher Sources
  • 01:02:58 – The Vulnerability of Mediums
  • 01:07:54 – Risks of Mediumship and Channeling
  • 01:13:09 – Causes of Mental Illness in Indigenous Contexts
  • 01:18:04 – Financial Responsibility in the Spiritual Community
  • 01:22:57 – The Ethics of Charging for Healing Services
  • 01:27:42 – The Harm of Brutal Honesty
  • 01:32:28 – Ethics of Controlling Others with Magic
  • 01:37:21 – Ethical Use of Spiritual Gifts, Misuse of Spiritual Gifts and Sexual Energy
  • 01:42:12 – Spiritual Affair and its Consequences
  • 01:47:01 – Assisting Spirits in Crossing Over
  • 01:51:53 – Interference with Spirits
  • 01:56:44 – The Phenomenon of “Walk-Ins”
  • 02:01:31 – Choosing Teachers and Company
  • 02:06:24 – Examining Influences and Doing Emotional Work
  • 02:11:09 – The Harm of Inaccurate Readings and Lack of Compassion
  • 02:15:53 – Becoming a Hollow Bone & Living a Balanced Life
  • 02:20:43 – The Importance of Balance in Healing
  • 02:25:41 – Exploring the Connection between Quantum Physics and Spirituality