The Inorganic Nature of Love

“What is a relationship if not the evolution of learning about what somebody needs…The fact that we need to go through a process of working on some of our inferior muscles to be better caregivers, of course, it’s unnatural, that’s intimacy, that’s learning to love someone.” The Dignity of Suffering Podcast, Episode 6   So…

Episode 5: Relationships and Illness: How To Increase Hope and Connection Through Vulnerability and Courage, An Interview With Just Such a Brave Couple

Today’s interview epitomizes the entire reason I started this podcast. In it, I have a conversation with an incredibly brave and courageous couple. As we talked and I heard their story, my ambivalence around whether it is possible to convey the magic of vulnerability through this medium faded away. What is central to this podcast…

Will the Baby Take the Food: The Art of Vulnerability and Why it’s Important to Break Down Emotions Into Bite Sized Pieces

But there’s a scream inside that we all try to hide We hold on so tight, we cannot deny Eats us alive                                                         – Sia       “You will get tired of me, if you find out what an emotional mess I am, you will leave me”   “I don’t deserve your comfort, it’s my…

Episode 3: The Art of Suffering: A Closer Look at Buddhism’s Contributions to Our Relationship with Strife, an Interview with Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dr. Sean Smith

I thought it was important to take a closer look at the notion of suffering, particularly from the point of view of Buddhist thought, as many of the tenets and practices of Buddhism have progressively entered the Western popular imagination.  I found myself reflecting on what must be a misconception and oversimplification of Buddhist thought…

Episode 2: The Dignity of the Body: A Container for Grief and Transition – An Interview with Psychotherapist, Author, and Podcaster Charlene Jones

In the 19th century, a pivotal evolution occurred. It is one that still echoes today and underscores the entire field of psychology and a lot of the work I do as a psychotherapist. During this time, it was discovered that major physiological diseases had a psychological basis. The French neurologist Jean Charcot was able to…