Best Of Neurosummit

Do you feel stressed on a daily basis? Are you feeling low energy? The news is filled with stories of wars, mass shootings, rights getting overturned, economic uncertainty, and so much continuous devastation, it could seem that we are living in End Times. Our guest today, scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D., delves into the idea of finding possibility, even during these times of great grief. We have been conditioned to respond to the terrible, but it does not have to be this way. As an icon in the Human Potential movement, Jean shares ideas about how the Renaissance, with its advancements in music, art, poetry, and cosmology, came after great plagues and times of war, much like the world situation today. Could we be in a new Renaissance period now? We are once again in a similar time of radical growth, and we have the power within us to see new possibilities and reach mythical potential in our human evolution. Jean shares stories of her travels and talks about her friendship with scholar Joseph Campbell and how they would have "beautiful fights" which were friendly arguments and deep discussions about mythology and the fate of humanity. Campbell wrote extensively about the "Hero's Journey," while Jean considered the "Heroine's Journey." Part of the problem is that 50% of the human race is not being recognized for women's immense creativity and power. Women's ways are missing. With an emphasis on compassion, cooperation, community, and process rather than product and competition, humane creativity must be celebrated by acknowledging the achievements of women. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: JeanHouston.com. This interview was originally taped in May 2022. Scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D., made her transition very recently and we air this in her honor.

Do you believe in soulmates? How do you find "The One?" ­ -- that one true love of your life? It seems so challenging at times that there must be some sort of secret code, right? Well, here to demystify the process is relationship expert Katherine Woodward Thomas. She talks about the dynamics of healthy relationships and how to set intentions in that direction. She also examines what happens when people divorce (especially through the court system). She explains how it IS possible, if things don't work out, to "consciously uncouple." She notes that the "happily-ever-after" myth was invented just 400 years ago when people had much shorter life spans. Katherine Woodward Thomas, M.A., MFT is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After" and the national bestseller, "Calling in "The One:" 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life." She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. Katherine is the originator of the "Conscious Uncoupling" process as well as creator of the "Calling in 'The One:' 49 Days to Love" online course. Info: www.KatherineWoodwardThomas.com. We air this interview, originally taped in Sept. 2018, in honor of Katherine, who made her transition recently.

What if you knew you held the power of destiny in your hands and could create your own vibrant future? Do you want to radically change your life for the better? According to today's guest, best-selling author Katherine Woodward Thomas, M.A., MFT, it is indeed possible! Katherine is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After," and the national bestseller, "Calling in "The One:" 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life." She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has taught thousands of people worldwide. Today Katherine explains a very powerful technique whereby you look to your ideal future, then live from that future backward. She invites us to ask ourselves, "Who am I called to become," then begin living from that place. Who would you need to be now to become that person? She explains how we can start from the future, to essentially create that future by practicing acting as our possible self. What's possible? What do you need to let go of? She further discusses how this is different from hope. It's about purposefully living through intention and alignment. Katherine teaches us that it is possible to evolve beyond our painful past and truly create a life we love! She discusses these ideas in free online webinars. Info: katherinewoodwardthomas.com. We air this interview, originally taped in April 2022, in honor of Katherine, who made her transition recently.

Today Lisa continues her conversation with Michael Gelb, the world's leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership. Michael leads seminars for organizations such as DuPont, Merck, Microsoft, and Nike. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a professional speaker, seminar leader and organizational consultant to his international clientele. Listen as they discuss highlights from his latest book, The Art of Connection: 7 Relationship-Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now. Info: michaelgelb.com.

Would you like to feel closer to your partner? Would you like to communicate better? Lisa continues the conversation today with Dr. Cheryl Fraser, Buddhist psychologist, sex therapist, author, and speaker. She cites studies and shares examples about ways to have deeper conversations. She suggests talking with your partner without an agenda, just sharing and listening. She explores research that talks about sharing adventures with your partner, especially doing an intense and exciting activity together. Dr. Cheryl talks about how important it is to do new and different things together to break the typical routine. She suggests going on dates with your partner. It can be thrilling and bring us back to the early days of dating, when there was effort and intentionality. You can find hobbies together and make it a priority. It's important to carve out time and energy for each other. It is possible to be romantic and present with each other again. Dr. Cheryl has a popular podcast called "Sex, Love, & Elephants," and her latest book is "Buddha's Bedroom–The Mindful Loving Path to Sexual Passion and Lifelong Intimacy." Info: drcherylfraser.com. This is Part 2 of the interview.

Do you still go to in-person meetings? We have all become accustomed to Zoom, Teams, and online meetings. Since the pandemic, it's good that we have technological shortcuts available. Oftentimes though, a text or email just won't work. Lisa's guest today, author Michael Gelb, argues that true meaningful relationships come from real interaction and are the key to creating innovative ideas and solving problems. Michael is the world's leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. Listen as they discuss highlights from his latest book, The Art of Connection: 7 Relationship-Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: michaelgelb.com.

Do you believe that humans should mate for life? Is this natural? Relationships can be tough, especially long-term ones. It takes daily practice and patience. Today's guest is Buddhist psychologist, sex therapist, author, and speaker Dr. Cheryl Fraser. She talks about "modern marriage" and relationships. In the past, marriages were arranged, or people came together for the good of the tribe, the farm, and raising children together. She examines questions like, "Is long-term love dead?" and is "til death do us part" still relevant. People who are attempting monogamy may have a tough time. She suggests that long-term relationships can be used as a way to grow. Between 25-45% of people will end up in a divorce. And in certain places, it's much higher. In second marriages, the divorce rate is actually much higher. Dr. Cheryl mentions that there are many alternative ways to be in relationships. Younger people are no longer getting married early. They are waiting until they are older. We change so much in our teens and 20s, and she suggests that we do not rush into marriage. Take time for independence. Long-term love is possible; it just needs help sometimes. She talks about the most important factors in any relationship, including intimacy, communication, fair fighting, and how to repair and apologize if necessary. Dr. Cheryl has a popular podcast called "Sex, Love, & Elephants," and her latest book is "Buddha's Bedroom–The Mindful Loving Path to Sexual Passion and Lifelong Intimacy." Info: drcherylfraser.com.

How many cycles of global warming have occurred over the lifetime of this planet? And where are we going from here? These are the kinds of questions asked in Dr. Anodea Judith's book "Waking the Global Heart: Humanity's Rite of Passage From Love of Power to the Power of Love." This work is considered groundbreaking in the field of Transpersonal Psychology and used as definitive texts in the U.S. and abroad. Today she discusses the history of the melting of the ice caps, the cycles of nature, and how humanity with carbon emissions, population growth, and so much more is affecting the planet. She states that we must evolve into a network which works together to begin to solve some of the global challenges. She talks about how more than 20% of the human population does not have access to clean drinking water. This is an environmental catastrophe. The United States could lead, but it would take a rite of passage. During this time, we are forced to look at terrorism and climate change. There are deaths, but we could look toward rebirth and more sustainable ways of living. As humans, we must graduate to another level. Civilizations are always rising and falling. This is a global world change. Every new moment has people who believe these ideas and concepts will not work. New ideas always get attacked and it may take decades for acceptance. We have an opportunity to move into an age of ethics, rather than an age of power. She reminds us that the cutting-edge of culture never comes from the mainstream – it always comes from the fringe. Anodea has been called "a prophet for our time." A groundbreaking thought leader and best-selling author, she worked as a therapist in private practice for more than 20 years. Today she is the director of Sacred Centers, a teaching organization she founded that offers workshops worldwide. Judith holds a doctoral degree in Psychology and Human Health, is a yoga teacher, and is considered the foremost Western writer on the subject of the chakra system. She also is a faculty member of the Shift Network. Info: AnodeaJudith.com.

Depression, anxiety, and addiction can all be linked back to unresolved grief. This can make us feel hopeless. Lisa continues the conversation today with psychotherapist and author John Tsilimparis who explains how to not get stuck in these feelings. We all go through trying times, and he shares ways to handle it. John talks about underlying loss and helps people convert those feelings. Grief is like a stream, and we can move through it. John also discusses why we worry. This can be an addiction as well. John tries to help people remember that things can be good. If we can accept that worry is a protective mechanism, we can study it. It can serve a purpose. We can learn to adapt. He asks us to focus on what is important to us and what we have control over. We have to look for those things, whether it's work, school, family, friends, etc. He talks about how people were so affected by the pandemic, because of the constant uncertainty. He suggests having a daily practice, which includes mindfulness and meditation. Even just 5 to 10 minutes will help and bring you back to your center. He also highly suggests that we reduce screen time. Excessive time on our phones and in front of a computer can affect our sleep and stress. It's important to get outside and spend a few minutes in nature. This can be as easy as just stepping outside and looking at the sun. John Tsilimparis is a distinguished psychotherapist, mental health consultant, podcast host, and former adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and UCLA Extension. He is the author of "The Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Finding Happiness in Our Darkest Days" and "Retrain Your Anxious Brain." This is Part 2 of the interview. Info: johntsilimparis.com.

Millions of metric tons of plastic waste and microplastics are floating in our oceans. This impacts both the fish and ultimately the food we consume. According to the EPA, "Plastic particles are generally the most abundant type of debris encountered in the marine environment, with estimates suggesting that 60% to 80% of marine debris is plastic, and more than 90% of all floating debris particles are plastic." Dr. Marcus Eriksen is on the show today to discuss the DVD "Our Synthetic Seas," which covers the total issue about plastic and the garbage found in our seas and especially the problem of disappearing sea life as fish are now eating plastic, waste, debris, and more dangerous materials. Marcus is currently the Executive Director of the 5 Gyres Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Southern California in 2003, months before embarking on a 2000-mile, 5-month journey down the Mississippi River on a homemade raft of plastic bottles. His experience on the river led to a career studying the ecological impacts of plastic marine pollution, which has included 8 expeditions sailing 25,000 miles through all 5 subtropical gyres to discover new garbage patches of plastic pollution in the Southern Hemisphere and beyond. With an affinity for rafting, his most recent adventure sent him and a colleague across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii on a homemade raft floating on 15,000 plastic bottles and a Cessna airplane fuselage as a cabin. The journey, 2,600 miles in 88 days, brought tremendous attention to the plastic pollution issue. Info: Algalita.org and MarcusEriksen.com.

Grief and anxiety can feel hopeless and traumatic. How can you not get stuck in the feelings? We all go through trying times, so how can we handle it all? It's about experiencing the feelings while also trying to find beauty and inspiration in our lives. Psychotherapist and author John Tsilimparis talks deeply about these topics today and suggests we find aesthetic ways to empower ourselves. John is a distinguished psychotherapist, mental health consultant, podcast host, and former adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and UCLA Extension. Today he discusses his latest book "The Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Finding Happiness in Our Darkest Days." John shares the idea of "inspiration exposure." He invites us to be self-compassionate. He suggests we hold strong to our boundaries and give ourselves time to heal. The idea is not to move on, but to move through the emotions. John talks about "grief empowerment" and explains how to find meaning and even beauty in grief. He teaches us to find awe and splendor, even in our darkest moments. This can apply to anxiety and even addiction. It's possible to find meaning and purpose in even the smallest things. Info: johntsilimparis.com.

Are you in a relationship? Do you think love is hard work? Half of the US households' children will spend time in a divorced home and are more likely to end up divorced later in their own lives as well. So what can we do about this? Join Lisa today as she talks with Dr. Susan Jeffers, author of "Lasting Love: The Feel the Fear Guide to Lasting Love" about what love really is, how we can create lasting loving relationships, and more. Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., has helped millions of people throughout the world overcome their fears, heal their relationships, and move forward in life with confidence and love. She is the author of many internationally renowned best-selling books including "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway," "Feel the Fear . . . and Beyond," "Feel the Fear Power Planner," "End the Struggle and Dance With Life," and many more. Her latest book at the time of the interview was "The Feel the Fear Guide to Lasting Love." Info: SusanJeffers.com.

Who would you be without your trauma? Lisa continues the conversation today with Dr. Sue Morter. Known as "Dr. Sue," she is an internationally acclaimed speaker, master of Bioenergetic Medicine, and thought leader bridging science, spirituality, and human potential. She is the founder and CEO of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics and host of the podcast, "The Art of Awakening" and Gaia TV's "Healing Matrix." Today she will discuss her brand-new book, "The Anatomy of Awakening: The 5 Hidden Codes to Unlock Your Higher Consciousness and Live Your Divine Destiny." Dr. Sue talks about hidden trauma and explains how we can unlock it from the body. She explains how it is possible to heal once we acknowledge how to come home to ourselves. We can look at our emotions, heal, and surrender. We can self-heal. We can regulate our nervous systems based on breath. It can happen quickly. Dr. Sue explains how this is a vibration. It is a frequency. We can change in a moment according to quantum physics. Our quantum self is not bound by time. You do not need a trauma, such as a near-death experience, or physical illness. Awakening can happen instantaneously. The subtle energies can set you free. She invites us to create the space to feel something that's softer. Breathe. Take time to relax your nervous system. Feel your feelings. We can begin to become whole when we change our perspective. Dr. Sue also teaches a short exercise involving a deep belly breath, which will help us feel calm. We can release our solar plexus and relax. We can allow energy to flow, which allows our wisdom to be unleashed. This is a system to organize the chaos. We can then approach life from a different perspective and from a place of wholeness. This is Part 2 of the interview. Info: drsuemorter.com.

Would you like to learn about natural methods of healing? Did you know there are proven, helpful gadgets which can reduce pain? Our guest today is Dr. Norm Shealy who will discuss some of the latest cutting-edge technologies available for pain management, depression, and stress. Since his creation of the TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit for pain control in the 1970s, world-renown neurosurgeon Dr. Shealy has been at the forefront of several new non-invasive devices that have been proven to be effective for pain management. He will discuss some of these amazing technologies on the show. Dr. Shealy is a Neurosurgeon and former Harvard Professor, and is currently President of Holos University Graduate Seminary, which offers doctoral programs in Spiritual Healing and Energy Medicine. He holds nine patents for innovative discoveries, has published more than 300 articles and 22 books including "Life Beyond 100" and "90 Days To Stress-Free Living." Tune in and learn a relaxation technique that could change your health! Info: www.normshealy.net

Would you like to understand how the stories you tell yourself are affecting your physiology? What impact do they have and what's underlying them? Today's guest is Dr. Sue Morter. Known as "Dr. Sue," she is an internationally acclaimed speaker, master of Bioenergetic Medicine, and thought leader bridging science, spirituality, and human potential. She is the founder and CEO of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics and host of the podcast, "The Art of Awakening" and Gaia TV's "Healing Matrix." Today she will discuss her brand-new book, "The Anatomy of Awakening: The 5 Hidden Codes to Unlock Your Higher Consciousness and Live Your Divine Destiny." Dr. Sue talks about how we can resolve unresolved emotions that we don't even know we are carrying. She invites us to look at life without our trauma. She believes we are inherently rich, abundant, and healthy. When we choose to incarnate, we may believe we can operate with only certain capacities. We get shut down over the course of life. Under it all, is something completely whole. We can receive these gifts of wholeness which are waiting for us. Many people get there through pain. The unconscious life tends to run our lives. We keep going with these patterns, yet Dr. Sue knows we can evolve. We come here to become more conscious. We can live lives of bliss, healing, and infinite possibilities. She invites us to have the light of our awareness shine brightly. When we allow it, we can awaken. Our filters can disappear and we can live a life of brightness. We can allow these universal energies to flow. Dr. Sue says how we may feel lost, sick, or confused right now. She asks us to take a "time out" and trust that there's more. She discusses her first book, "The Energy Codes" and talks about the imagination of who we are and who we can be. We can animate our potential, awaken it, and not get caught up in duality of life. If we can be present with ourselves no matter what is going on, we can learn to be more compassionate and therefore create a new reality. We can evolve through the imagination. This is what we are truly meant to be living. It's the timeless version of ourselves. We are meant to flourish. We are meant to love ourselves. We can come home to ourselves. It's our true nature. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: drsuemorter.com.

Lisa continues her conversation today with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and iconic drummer of The Doors, John Densmore. John reads poetry and explains about the thread which runs throughout each of our lives, if we just tune into it. This is a way of never being lost. He talks about Ram Dass and how, in the silence, people can really contemplate his deeper words. He further discusses the importance of poetry, and specifically Jim Morrison's poetry, and then reads a special poem that he read to Ram Dass, written in the 1960s by renowned poet Etheridge Knight. He further describes the essence of creativity and the gifts that musicians and artists bring to us. In this uplifting interview, he talks about his latest book, "The Seekers – Meetings with Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists)." Inspired by mystic G.I. Gurdjieff's classic work, "Meetings with Remarkable Men," Densmore's latest book is a collection of short vignettes of his encounters with musicians such as Patti Smith, Lou Reed, and Janice Joplin, as well as spiritual teachers like Ram Dass, the Dalai Lama, and Joseph Campbell. Info: https://www.johndensmore.com/

What is the secret to artistic genius? How can some people perform moving pieces of music, or write a thrilling manuscript, or create a deeply emotional piece of art? Do they have unique gifts? Today's guest is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and iconic drummer of The Doors, John Densmore. In this uplifting interview, he talks about his latest book, "The Seekers – Meetings with Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists)." Inspired by mystic G.I. Gurdjieff's classic work, "Meetings with Remarkable Men," Densmore's latest book is a collection of short vignettes of his encounters with musicians such as Patti Smith, Lou Reed, and Janice Joplin, as well as spiritual teachers like Ram Dass, the Dalai Lama, and Joseph Campbell. Each a luminary in their own right, Densmore shares stories of the creative thread that runs through each mystic, musician, and teacher as he searched for the origin of creativity and artistry. He shares several experiences he's had with LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel and how so much can be learned in the moments of silence between notes. The universal language of music is always a direct connection to one another's heart. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: JohnDensmore.com.

With the continuing crisis, how will it be possible to have peace in the Middle East? With so much separation, how can people remember their hearts and come together? Today Lisa continues the conversation with Ora and Ihab Balha, a Jewish and Muslim couple living in Isreal who exemplify love, despite the extreme conflicts in the area in which they are living. Together they co-founded "The Orchard of Abraham's Children'' nonprofit organization, a holistic educational and communal organization dedicated to transforming Jewish-Arab relations for a shared future, as well as the "Human First Community Center" in Jaffa, Israel. Today Ora and Ihab talk about the idea of peace, and how it exists; you just need to tap in. Peace is the future. The education system in Isreal is all about division based on religion and culture. This can be changed. By separating Jewish and Arab people, it creates ignorance. By coming together, and going to school together, we can learn about one another. We can enrich each other with our differences and find similarities to connect. Ignorance creates fear and that fear creates violence. An education system can address this by bringing students together. Ora and Ihab talk about how they start with teaching the children, and then the kids bring home information to their parents. They have also started a community center for adults. It's not just early childhood education. It's for the entire family. This can create change. Slowly it becomes impactful. They have an open prayer room and everyone is welcome. People come to visit from all over the world to pray and meditate. The local community branches out to the neighborhood and around Isreal. They have various locations in which they work with Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the global community. People have lost hope, but when they see that it's possible to learn the tools and create peace, they can feel inspired. Ora and Ihab also discuss how the education they've developed helps not only people, but the Earth as well. It's about sustainability. They talk about how we are just stewards of the land; no one actually owns it. We belong to the land. They also talk about their interfaith gatherings and the similarities between the various religions. When they started out, people made fun of what they were doing. Now people take note and are very interested. They want to get involved. It is difficult to shift people's minds in the beginning, but when they see what's possible, they become inspired and want to invest in peace and education. It is possible to change the paradigm and Ora and Ihab are leading the way through their work together. They are working to stop the war and bring peace. They remind us that we are all part of the human family, and it is possible to live in abundance, love, and peace. We just need to open our hearts and come together. If interested in donating and learning more, pls visit: www.orchardofabrahamschildren.org

Although it seems that we live in a world filled with tragedy, especially as we hear about wars raging in the Middle East, there are still so many people there doing good in the world. In today's show, Lisa interviews Ora and Ihab Balha, a Jewish and Muslim couple living in Isreal who exemplify love, despite the extreme conflicts in which they are living. Together they co-founded "The Orchard of Abraham's Children'' nonprofit organization, a holistic educational and communal organization dedicated to transforming Jewish-Arab relations for a shared future, as well as the "Human First Community Center" in Jaffa, Israel. Ihab Balha explains as a Muslim man how he was challenged to a fight by a Jewish man who came running into a restaurant screaming hateful words toward Arabs. They got into a physical fight. Frequently this many would run into this restaurant shouting the same words and fighting with men there. Eventually Ihab decided to wait for him and attacked him outside. The Jewish man was surprised and said how they should schedule the next fight and invited him to fight at his home. Ihab talks about how they scheduled it, and when he arrived at the man's house, the man broke down about his wife leaving him. This led to a conversation about the importance of love and human connection. Together they talked about relationships and spoke from their hearts. They continued to meet, to talk, and to express their fears and anger. Slowly more Jewish people and Muslim people began to gather with them, just to talk. They decided to have a meeting in the Holy Land between the Israeli and Palestinian people. They were anticipating approximately 10 people. More than 300 showed up. They invited people from various religions including priests, Sufis, and rabbis. One man talked about his daughter being killed by an Israeli soldier. Another person talked about how a Palestinian man killed his son. Together they cried and shared their pain. Afterwards they hugged each other. At the second meeting, more than 1000 people came and for the third meeting, more than 5,000 people of various religions attended. This was essentially the biggest peace project in Israel. They did not talk about politics – instead they talked about being Jewish, Muslim, and Christian. They built bridges. Ora Balha talks about how she met Ihab when she was visiting the Sinai desert in Egypt. They saw each other and immediately fell in love. Even though Ora is Jewish and Ihab is Muslim, they talk about how love "took" them. It took over. They had to rise above cultural and societal differences. Ora moved in with Ihab in Jaffa. Because of the difficulties, they couldn't share this with anyone, including their families. When Ora first met Ihab's father, it was especially challenging. Their families could not get over their prejudices, but every time they met, Ora and Ihab would express only love. Finally, after a struggle of several years, their families accepted one another. It took time, but Ora and Ihab stayed true to their love. They also talked about the importance of choosing love. Even if you are afraid, when you choose love, people can see that and then reflect it. They also discuss what happened when they had their son and how they educated him. He learned both Hebrew and Arabic at home. They celebrated all of each other's holidays. When it came time to send him to kindergarten, they couldn't find a school that was teaching what they were at home, so they decided to start a kindergarten. They were young and didn't think about the future as much, so they started a very small school in Ihab's father's yard. Two children joined. They brought in both a Jewish teacher and a Muslim teacher. The community started to hear about them. In the beginning, it was hard, but slowly more children joined. By the end of the first year, 16 children were involved. They opened a second group the following year and a third group by the third year. Currently they now have nine kindergartens, an elementary school, and a community center which focuses on adults. It offers music and activities. They have more than 100 staff members. They invite people to remember that we are human first. God chooses all of us. We complete each other. Info: www.orchardofabrahamschildren.org

Have you heard of communities where people regularly live to be healthy in their 80s, 90s, and even beyond? Is it possible that cultural beliefs can affect our health and longevity? Clinical neuropsychologist and founder of Biocognitive science, Dr. Mario Martinez, is an expert in the healthy aging process. He lectures worldwide on how cultural beliefs affect health and longevity more than genetics. In today's interview he discusses ideas such as how our immune systems have their own moral system and how resilience has an immune-boosting factor. He also considers how archetypal wounds affect our DNA and RNA and can be passed through the generations. His research demonstrates how thoughts and their biological expression co-emerge within a cultural history, even as current science continues to divide mind and body, and ignore the influence cultural contexts have on the process of health, illness, and aging. Cultures that view growing older as positive are associated with increased wisdom and have higher numbers of centenarians living healthier lives than cultures that view aging as a process of inevitable deterioration. He also teaches how joy requires sufficient self-esteem to accept it without self-sabotage. Dr. Mario Martinez is the author of "The MindBody Code." Learn more about his field of "biocognition" in today's interview. Info: www.biocognitive.com.