The Compassion Podcast

Professor Jason Pandya-Wood was, at the time of recording, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham Malaysia and is now at Western Sydney University, Australia. He has worked, volunteered, taught and researched in the field of social policy, and has campaigned on a wide range of social justice issues He is interested in exploring the role of compassion in...

Dr Nicola Petrocchi, an adjunct professor of psychology at John Cabot University in Rome. She is an accredited Compassion Focused Therapy Therapist and trainer in Italy and Europe. Her research focuses on the physiological correlates of prosocial motivations, and how compassion towards ourselves and others improves psychophysiological wellbeing. She is the author of several national and internatio...

Dr Elenice De Souza Oliveira is an associate professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey. She teaches courses on Criminology, Policing, and Ethics & Justice. Prof. Oliveira most recent research activities have encompassed gang-related homicides, street drug markets, public transport crime and various forms of violence in urban settings. https://www.elenicedesouzaolivei...

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Otto Scharmer, a Senior Lecturer at MIT and Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute, has dedicated the past 20 years to helping leaders embrace cross-sector systems transformation. He is the author of the bestselling books, Theory U and just released a new book, Presencing. https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/presencing-9798890570284 https://www.pres...

Rachel Killam is an Interdisciplinary Education Doctoral Candidate at the University of South Florida. Rachel focuses on Higher Education Administration, Philosophy, and Compassion. Her scholarly work has focused on the philosophical, social, and political norms that shape higher education and education in general as a workplace. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkillam/ Music by Guy Ja...

Michael Juberg interviews Dr. Simon Cottle, a media and communication professor emeritus at Cardiff University, about his work on global crises and the role of media. Dr. Cottle discusses his latest book, "Communicating a World in Crisis," which explores how various communication fields, including journalism, can address interconnected global issues, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach an...

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Deanna Varley, a postdoctoral research associate at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. Her research is interested in understanding factors that contribute to psychological distress and how early life experiences influence mental health later in life.

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Darcy Harris, a Professor of Than-natology at King’s University College at Western University in Canada. She also maintains a private clinical practice specializing in issues related to change, loss, and transition. In addition, she is a faculty member of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Her research focuses on Grief and Loss, Compassi...

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Myriam Mongrain, a clinical psychologist and Full Professor of Psychology at York University in Canada. She is an active clinician and researcher. Her Positive Psychology lab explores topics related to human flourishing, existentialism, and compassion-based training.

Dr. Olga Klimecki, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses her research on mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and compassion in this interview. She explores how mindfulness and compassionate practices can enrich lives, improve brain health, and even foster conflict resolution on both individual and societal levels.

Dr. Lynn Reeder from the Charter for Compassion discusses her work promoting compassion-driven initiatives from local community projects to global research collaborations. She highlights the Charter's impact across 470 cities worldwide and shares insights on innovative projects like "Seeds of Compassion" in Ballarat, Australia. Dr. Reeder also explains her role in advancing compassion science thro...

Across the world, democracy is in retreat. In many nations, far-right populist leaders are gaining ground while everywhere elections are becoming increasingly susceptible to interference by rogue states. The result is increased distrust in politics and divisions in society. In this panel, we will explore the guiding role that compassion can play in helping us not only reinvigorate support for demo...

With the avalanche of information coming at us every day, closing down our minds and hearts seems to be the only way to survive. In this climate of distraction and division, Nate Klemp, PhD, will talk about the new science and age-old practices we can use to experience more moments of openness.

On 7 July 2017 – following a decade of advocacy by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and its partners – an overwhelming majority of the world’s nations adopted a landmark global agreement to ban nuclear weapons. It entered into force on 22 January 2021. In this talk with Claire Yorke, expert on empathy and international security and convenor of the GCC's working group on...

10,000 children die every day from hunger-related illnesses and globally more than 1 billion children live in poverty. This despite the fact we have the resources and the wealthy to alleviate poverty and end hunger. To build a compassionate world today and have it last into the future, we must start to invest properly in the care, nurturance, and wellbeing of the youngest among us. This panel expl...

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird and GCC President Rick Hanson discuss the topic of decolonizing mindfulness and using neuroscience research to examine how mindfulness approaches and traditional Indigenous contemplative practices can train the mind and positively change the structure and function of the brain. They discuss the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, including neurodecoloniza...

Join best-selling author Gretchen Rubin and GCC President Rick Hanson in conversation about how we can tap into our five senses as a path to a happier, more mindful life. Gretchen Rubin has been studying happiness and human nature for over a decade, and will be sharing about her latest book Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.

Dr. Jud Brewer, New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change, shares the practice of cultivating curiosity for others. If we are to overcome the sense of division that grips many societies today, we have to generate a sense of real understanding with each other. That starts with curiosity: asking questions, developing empathy, and walking in one another’s shoe...

This meditation features a loving-kindness practice aimed at fostering feelings of goodwill and kindness towards oneself and others. It guides listeners through various stages, including focusing on breath, visualizing loved ones and acquaintances, and extending kindness to oneself and the broader community, all while maintaining a centered and calm mindset.

Men and boys are struggling with loneliness, isolation, anxiety, depression, and meaninglessness more than ever. The situation is dire. With our culture’s deeply embedded expectations for men and boys to be tough, unemotional, self-sufficient, and avoid anything considered feminine, they’re offered little to no support or means to live outside of a restrictive, rigid male persona (AKA the Boy Box...

This meditation from Elisha Goldstein, "Relax and Retune," will guide you through deep relaxation techniques focusing on breath awareness and muscle relaxation. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of control, recognizing and releasing mental distractions, and appreciating the act of self-care through meditation.

"Deepen your connection with the art of Tonglen meditation, guiding you through a transformative journey to cultivate compassion, courage, and relief from suffering. Experience the power of breath, visualization, and heart-centered intention as you extend peace and healing to yourself and others."

In this practice you'll be guided through a mindfulness practice to settle the mind, using various anchors such as sounds, bodily sensations, or breath. The practice encourages gentle, non-judgmental awareness, inviting you to return to the present moment whenever their mind wanders. The session concludes with a gentle reawakening and a moment of connection and awareness.

In this practice you'll be guided to reflect on the compassion you feel for loved ones and then direct that same compassion towards yourself, acknowledging your own struggles and pain, and embracing them with kindness and care, ultimately fostering self-compassion and resilience.

The practice encourages you to cultivate and practice compassion towards yourself, people close to you, colleagues, and strangers, emphasizing that empathy and warm-heartedness can be extended even when there are disagreements or boundaries.