Episodes
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Larry Barsalou - Habits of Mind
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
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 psychology has viewed and studied the mind;
- simulation and prediction in the brain;
- what a concept is, and benefits and harms they can bring;
- stereotypes, implicit bias, and how we might change them;
- the "situated action" cycle that drives our behavior;
- understanding habits, and the role of mindfulness in breaking unhealthy habits;
- how humans form self-concepts, and how meditation can help us move beyond them;
- the importance of context (situatedness) in cognition, and how to study it scientifically;
- and how he got interested in contemplative science.
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Sona Dimidjian - Bringing Relationship into Research
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
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 inequality. Their conversation covers many topics, including:
- her path to contemplative practice and research;
- using collaborative teams in science to reduce bias;
- how she applies mindfulness to help with postpartum depression;
- working with young women around stereotypes about appearance;
- embodied practices delivered through peer instruction;
- community-engaged participatory research, working "with" and not "for";
- creating digital platforms for more equitable dissemination of contemplative programs;
- and how she brings a lens of anti-racism to her research and teaching.
Version: 20240320