684. Chris Niebauer

Chris Niebauer earned his Ph.D. in cognitive neuropsychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in the differences between the left and right sides of the human brain. He is the author of No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism and The No Self, No Problem Workbook: Exercises & Practices from Neuropsychology and Buddhism to Help You Lose Your Mind. He was a professor at a state university in Pennsylvania for 22 years, where he taught courses on consciousness, mindfulness, left- and right-brain differences, and artificial intelligence.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded June 3, 2023

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:06:21 – Disappointment with Daniel Dennett’s book on consciousness
  • 00:11:55 – The Value of Intelligence and Happiness
  • 00:17:39 – The Dominance of Language in Reality
  • 00:23:31 – Breaking the Cycle of Mental Excitation
  • 00:29:04 – Non-Thinking Forms of Consciousness
  • 00:34:24 – The Power of Numbers and Abstractions
  • 00:40:01 – Observing the Interpreter and Letting Go of Intrusive Thoughts
  • 00:45:55 – The Need for a Tiny Shift
  • 00:51:17 – The Inventive Storytelling of the Left Brain
  • 00:57:17 – Holistic Development of the Brain
  • 01:02:52 – The Playfulness of Debates and the Power of Music
  • 01:08:41 – The Nature of Skepticism and Strange Beliefs
  • 01:14:25 – The Shift to Right Brain Awareness
  • 01:19:53 – The Left Brain on Trial
  • 01:25:32 – Individual Paths and Categorization
  • 01:31:05 – Liberation and the Illusion of Self
  • 01:36:54 – The Paradox of the Soul and Individuality
  • 01:43:02 – Embracing Paradoxes
  • 01:48:22 – The Connection between Light and Consciousness
  • 01:53:31 – The Role of Faith in Materialism and Consciousness Studies
  • 01:58:37 – The Inadequacy of Neuroscience
  • 02:03:46 – The Limitations of Understanding and Balance in Life

682. Jill Bolte Taylor

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist who is now affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. Her most recent 2021 book is WHOLE BRAIN LIVING: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life.

Dr. Taylor is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations about the beauty of our human brain and how we can work with ourself to live a more peaceful life. In 2008 she gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 28.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Taylor was chosen as one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” web-cast.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded May 14, 2023.

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:05:33 – The Evolutionary Goal of Humanity
  • 00:11:07 – The Experience of the Present Moment
  • 00:17:04 – Developing the Whole Brain
  • 00:23:18 – Understanding the Dynamics of Relationships
  • 00:28:43 – Understanding Character Two and Emotional Pain
  • 00:33:33 – Understanding the Little Character Two
  • 00:38:03 – The Richness of Human Emotions
  • 00:42:05 – Autism and Brain Circuitry
  • 00:47:10 – The Potential Risks of Whole Brain Living and Psychedelics
  • 00:52:44 – Exploring the Options for Bipolar Disorder and PTSD
  • 00:59:58 – The Beauty of Humor
  • 01:07:06 – The Interface of Individuality and Universality
  • 01:16:07 – Bringing Balance and Meaning Into Life
  • 01:25:16 – The Differences in Perception and Information Processing
  • 01:32:07 – The Absurdity of Language and Consciousness
  • 01:37:18 – The Value Structure of Character Four
  • 01:44:01 – Changing the Model of Enlightenment
  • 01:48:18 – The Existence of Free Will
  • 01:53:44 – The Subtle Work of Cells and Neuronal Networks
  • 01:59:21 – The 90-Second Rule & Addiction in the Brain
  • 02:04:19 – Exploring Selective Mutism and Addiction
  • 02:11:27 – Dealing with Fear of the Future and Worry
  • 02:17:51 – Farewell and Thank You

681. Cynthia Larson

Cynthia Sue Larson is the best-selling author of several books including Quantum Jumps, Reality Shifts, and High Energy Money. Cynthia has a degree in physics from UC Berkeley, an MBA degree, a Doctor of Divinity, and a second degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won. Cynthia is founder of RealityShifters, first president of the International Mandela Effect Conference, managing director of Foundations of Mind, and creator and host of Living the Quantum Dream podcast. She has been featured in numerous shows including Gaia, the History Channel, Coast to Coast AM, One World with Deepak Chopra, and BBC. Cynthia reminds us to ask in every situation, “How good can it get?” Subscribe to her free monthly ezine at: realityshifters.com.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded April 23, 2023.

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:09:42 – The Quantum Superposition
  • 00:15:04 – The Mandela Effect and Kidney Placement
  • 00:20:01 – Exploring Different Realities
  • 00:24:28 – Perception in Shamanic Cultures
  • 00:31:00 – The Double Slit Experiment: Particle vs. Wave
  • 00:38:12 – Discerning the Real from the Unreal
  • 00:44:18 – The Power of Changing Perspectives and Overcoming Fear
  • 00:50:46 – Discerning the Truth
  • 00:55:09 – Spontaneous Vanishing Bottle
  • 00:59:12 – Time Dilation and Time Curves
  • 01:07:20 – Meditation’s Growing Popularity
  • 01:12:28 – The Rain Experiment with Mom
  • 01:17:03 – The Power of Collective Consciousness
  • 01:22:51 – Unexplained Phenomena
  • 01:26:47 – Pre-birth Existence and Difficult Choices
  • 01:29:29 – The Garden and the Fire
  • 01:33:40 – The Openness to Experience “How Good Can It Get?”
  • 01:38:49 – Levels of Consciousness and Sentient AI Systems
  • 01:43:29 – The Importance of Surprise and Rediscovering Basic Truths
  • 01:49:28 – “Rev Humanism” and the Future of Human Evolution
  • 01:53:31 – Recognizing our Connectedness and Empathy
  • 01:57:07 – Observing Thoughts for a Positive Mindset
  • 02:00:04 – A Fun and Informative Conversation