This is a roundtable discussing my podcast with Dr David Clarke on the promise of neuroplastic symptom therapy for chronic pain and ilness. Neuroplastic symptoms are those that are generated by the brain. Topics discuss included: whether people could self-treat if they understand the theory and practice of the approach; the disctinction was drawn between neuroplastic symptoms following organic issues or damage, versus those following psychological trauma ; there was vibrant discussion about neuroplastic treatment bringing hope and relief to millions who either can't find traditional medical treatments, or for whom those treatments are ineffective; the scale of the issue was higlighted with millions of people in the USA alone affeccted by neuroplastic symptoms; discussion of transcending mind-body dualism; the issue of being 'ready' for such an approach and that a subset of peolpe would likely resist the implication that it is 'all in your head'; the importance of mediacl practictioners having this understanding to complement their practice.

A fascinating conversation with Dr David Clarke as he explains Neuroplastic Symptom Therapy. Dr Clarke defines neuroplastic symptoms as brain-generated, as distinct from pain emanating from body damage or illness. It appears a very high percentage of the US population has such symptoms, which respond poorly, or not at all, to traditional medical treatments. We discuss how the brain generates theses symptoms and the benefits that patients derive from Neuroplastic Symptom Therapy, which changes their brains giving them not only symptom relief, but positively changes their lives and work. Patients learn to lsiten to their symptoms, often discovering unrecognised emotions old traumas or Aversive Childhood Experiences (ACE's) that express themselves via the body. Results with this approach are astonishing and are backed by gold-standard Randomised Controlled Trials. All in all, a wonderful discussion.

This is a conversation with Drew Southwell, better known as indie singer, songwriter, producer and composer Portair. We had a free-flowing and candid conversation about music, mental health and creativity in which we touched on many topics including: Drew’s background as an artist; his drive to create and the factors that nurture his creativity; the centrality of uncertainty and the tolerance of ambiguity in the creative process how the true meaning of what one creates often emerges much later; the foundation of symbol, metaphor and analogy in the creative process; learning to productively co-exist with one’s self-doubt; the primacy of doing or ‘just starting’; the joy ands and benefits of collaboration; Drew’s own mental health experiences and how therapy very positively changed his life; the important distinction between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism; and other topics. It was a delightful and illuminating conversation for me, and I hope you experience it that way as well.