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by FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training
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- 3 weeks ago1h 26m
#112: The Illusion of Self: Nondual Meditation & Brain Science - John Dunne, PhD
The Illusion of Self: Nondual Meditation & Brain Science with John Dunne, PhD explores how our sense of identity is constructed moment by moment, drawing on Buddhist philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative practice to explain why thoughts feel real and how seeing through them can fundamentally change our experience. In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, we sit down with John Dunne, PhD—a leading scholar-practitioner bridging ancient wisdom and modern science—to examine the nature of mind, self, and awareness. Rather than treating thoughts as accurate reflections of reality, John frames them as useful but often misleading constructions shaped by the brain's attempt to predict and navigate the world. We explore how meditation helps us "de-reify" thoughts—seeing them as mental events rather than truths—and why this shift may be central to reducing anxiety and depression. John also breaks down non-dual traditions like Mahamudra and Dzogchen, offering a clear lens into practices aimed not at changing experience, but at recognizing its underlying nature. Topics include: How the brain constructs a sense of self through predictive models Why thoughts feel real and how to see through them The role of meditation in shifting our relationship to thinking Differences between gradual and non-dual approaches to practice What "effortless awareness" means and why it matters Scientific insights from studying advanced meditators A grounded, intellectually rich conversation for anyone interested in understanding the mind more clearly, working with difficult thoughts, or exploring the intersection of neuroscience and contemplative practice. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org Show Notes 0:00 | From astronaut dreams to inner exploration 2:40 | Introducing John Dunne and his background 5:30 | Identity crisis and discovering meditation 9:30 | Early practice: Vipassana, metta, and analytical meditation 14:30 | Questioning reality and the nature of self 19:30 | Concepts, language, and why thoughts feel real 25:30 | How the mind constructs identity moment to moment 31:30 | Mahamudra and Dzogchen: gradual vs non-dual paths 38:30 | Effort vs effortlessness in meditation 45:00 | Anxiety, depression, and predictive processing 50:30 | De-reification: seeing thoughts as thoughts 56:30 | Watching the mind vs being lost in it 1:01:30 | Brain studies with advanced meditators 1:07:00 | Non-dual awareness and "always-on" presence 1:12:30 | What enlightenment is (and isn't) 1:17:30 | Tukdam and the mystery of consciousness at death 1:22:30 | Science, meditation, and open questions 1:25:30 | Closing reflections
- Mar 17, 202657 min
#111: The Future of Meditation: AI, Neurofeedback, & VR - Steve Haberlin, PhD
Meditation is evolving. New technologies like neurofeedback, virtual reality, and AI are beginning to intersect with ancient contemplative practices, raising an important question: can technology help people learn meditation more effectively? In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, we speak with Steve Haberlin, PhD, researcher, meditator, and author of Meta Meditation for Mental Health, about the emerging world of tech-assisted meditation. Steve explains why most people stop using meditation apps within the first month, how neurofeedback devices can provide real-time feedback about mental states, and how AI may soon create highly personalized meditation training. We also explore what virtual reality adds to meditation, and why different meditation techniques affect the brain in different ways. Throughout the conversation, Steve emphasizes the importance of balance. Technology may help more people access meditation, but the core practices that have been refined over thousands of years still remain essential. Topics include: How neurofeedback devices provide real-time feedback during meditation Why most people stop using meditation apps within the first month How VR meditation creates presence and reduces distraction What an AI meditation teacher might look like in the future Why different meditation techniques affect the brain differently How technology can enhance practice without replacing traditional methods A thoughtful conversation about the future of meditation and how ancient wisdom and modern technology may work together to make mental training more accessible, personalized, and effective. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org Show Notes 0:00 | Neuroscience, meditation, and real-time feedback 1:23 | Introducing Steve Haberlin 2:46 | Steve's meditation journey and early practice 8:12 | What "meta meditation" means 9:19 | Why most people quit meditation apps 12:28 | What neuroscience reveals about meditation 15:51 | State vs trait change in long-term meditators 18:03 | Can technology shorten the meditation learning curve? 20:52 | What VR adds to meditation practice 23:21 | The rise of AI meditation teachers 27:00 | Using AI to design personalized meditation practices 30:25 | Why personalization matters in meditation 33:26 | Neurofeedback and learning meditation in real time 39:35 | The pitfalls of tech-assisted meditation 46:11 | Balancing traditional meditation with new technology 47:50 | Practical approaches for focus and anxiety 51:07 | Future innovations in meditation technology 54:42 | Balancing ancient wisdom with emerging tools 55:49 | Steve's book and closing reflections
- Feb 17, 202653 min
#110: Rites of Passage & the Wisdom in Collapse - Linda Thai
Rites of Passage & the Wisdom in Collapse explores how personal crisis can function as initiation, drawing on contemplative practice, psychology, and wisdom traditions to explain why avoiding discomfort often deepens suffering and why meeting it skillfully can transform us. In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, we sit down with Linda Thai, therapist and meditation teacher, to examine what it means to grow up as individuals and as a culture. Rather than viewing breakdown as failure, Linda frames it as a descent — a necessary stripping away of outdated identities and rigid patterns that allows for integration and renewal. We explore how modern life has largely removed meaningful rites of passage, how this absence contributes to addiction, burnout, and disconnection, and why surrender is often misunderstood. Linda describes maturation as a shift from avoidance to discernment, from compulsive striving toward restraint, reciprocity, and community. Topics include: How rites of passage traditionally supported psychological development Why avoiding pain often becomes the source of suffering The parallels between personal collapse and collective crisis The difference between hustle culture and nourishment How community supports skillful engagement with discomfort A grounded, reflective conversation for anyone navigating transition, identity shifts, or collective uncertainty and for those interested in how maturity develops through discomfort rather than in spite of it. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org Show Notes 0:00 | Collapse, initiation, and why maturity matters 1:20 | Introducing Linda Thai 2:58 | Identity, displacement, and belonging 6:45 | Alaska, Buddhism, and discovering interdependent happiness 12:16 | From practice to vocation 17:46 | Addiction, avoidance, and sitting with discomfort 19:34 | Rites of passage and confronting shadow 24:30 | Rough initiations and collective descent 31:17 | Are retreats modern rites of passage? 33:40 | Vipassana and observing the thinking mind 36:29 | The wisdom in collapse 41:05 | Community, addiction, and modern disconnection 42:16 | Nourishment vs hustle culture 46:38 | What a nourished life looks like 50:33 | Suffering with grace 51:19 | Intention and living into maturity 52:37 | You can't think your way into a new way of living 53:19 | Closing reflections
- Jan 21, 20261h 36m
#109: The Science of Letting Go - Shawn Prest
The Science of Letting Go explores how meditation works in the brain, drawing on neuroscience, predictive processing, and contemplative science to explain how letting go reduces stress, softens self-related thinking, and changes perception over time. In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, we sit down with PhD researcher Shawn Prest from Monash University about what's actually happening under the hood when we meditate. Rather than framing letting go as a vague emotional release, Shawn describes it as a measurable shift in how the brain assigns confidence to its highest-level models, including the sense of self. They explore how the brain functions as a prediction system, why excessive certainty can create mental tension and suffering, and how meditation helps loosen rigid patterns by shifting perception toward more direct sensory experience. These changes can support greater equanimity, reduced reactivity, and long-term improvements in well-being. Topics include: How meditation changes self-related brain activity What "letting go" means from a neuroscience perspective The difference between insight-based and absorption-based meditation paths Why equanimity feels relieving rather than dull or passive A grounded, science-forward conversation for anyone curious about how meditation really works and why letting go can reduce suffering. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org Show Notes 0:00 | Intro and why study the mechanics of meditation 4:40 | From meditator to researcher 9:10 | The brain as a prediction machine 14:20 | Valence, well-being, and suffering 18:50 | Why computational models matter 24:30 | Hierarchies in the brain 31:10 | What letting go actually is 37:40 | Why letting go feels relieving 43:50 | Mental tension vs physical tension 49:30 | Modeling letting go computationally 55:50 | Applying letting go on a stressful day 1:02:30 | Trauma, caution, and meditation 1:09:20 | Jhana and insight paths 1:18:40 | Cessation and lasting change 1:27:30 | Equanimity as perception 1:34:40 | The future science of awakening
- Dec 16, 20251h 46m
#108: The Ethics of Meditation - Nicholas Van Dam, PhD
Clinical psychologist and contemplative science researcher Dr. Nicholas Van Dam joins us to explore the ethics of meditation and what scientific research reveals about how contemplative practices actually work. He examines how much practice is needed to see meaningful change, why challenging experiences can arise, and what current methods can and cannot reliably measure. We discuss the importance of informed consent in meditation, the role of wisdom traditions alongside modern science, and why honesty and nuance are essential as these practices enter mental health, education, and digital platforms. Dr. Van Dam also shares how contemplative science can support deeper understanding, responsibility, and care as meditation becomes more widely adopted. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org SHOW NOTES 0:00 | Science, wisdom traditions, and the modern search for meaning 1:46 | Introducing Nicholas Van Dam and the ethics of contemplative science 3:00 | Early life, religious roots, and the path into meditation research 5:35 | From brain science to real-world mental health impact 7:30 | Building an agnostic contemplative research centre in Australia 13:10 | Ethics, bias, and responsibility in meditation research 17:00 | Translating between science and wisdom traditions 20:45 | How much meditation is enough? What dose-response research shows 26:45 | Challenging meditation experiences and informed consent 33:00 | The "missing middle": maps, stages, and what comes after beginner programs 40:50 | Equanimity, emotion, and tensions with modern life and values 52:45 | Engagement vs efficacy: why some practices are easier to sustain 1:03:00 | Retreats, daily practice, sleep, and intensity trade-offs 1:13:00 | Neuroplasticity and the limits of brain-based explanations 1:17:15 | Neurofeedback, psychedelics, and the ethics of shortcuts 1:24:15 | Mapping inner experience and the future of contemplative science 1:32:15 | AI, teachers, and scaling wisdom without losing depth 1:38:20 | The future of contemplative science and FitMind's role 1:45:21 | Where to learn more Contemplative Studies Centre Website: https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/CSC Nicholas Van Dam's Personal Website: https://www.nicholastvandam.com
- Nov 25, 202544 min
#107: The Science of Human Connection - Dr. Tania Singer
Social neuroscientist Dr. Tania Singer joins us to explore the science of empathy, compassion, and the plasticity of the social brain. She breaks down why empathy and compassion are entirely different neural states, what her research with Buddhist monks revealed, and why compassion, not empathy, is the more resilient response to suffering. We discuss the ReSource Project's surprising findings, including why interpersonal "dyadic" practices reduce social stress far better than solo meditation. Dr. Singer also shares how these practices are being brought into schools, healthcare, and even economic thinking to help create a more caring society. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org SHOW NOTES 00:00 | Empathy vs. Compassion: Understanding the Brain Networks 02:57 | The Journey into Social Neuroscience 06:15 | Landmark Studies on Empathy and Pain 10:50 | Compassion: A Deeper Understanding 14:32 | The Resource Project: Mental Training Programs 20:47 | Dyadic Practices: Enhancing Social Connection 24:34 | Cortisol Levels and Social Stress 28:40 | Implementing Programs in Education and Healthcare 34:14 | Caring Economics: A New Vision for Society 40:49 | Where to Find Dr. Singer's Courses Dr. Singer's Website: https://taniasinger.de
- Oct 21, 202551 min
#106: Multitasking Myths, Focus & Real-World Brain Health - Therese Huston, PhD
Cognitive scientist Dr. Therese Huston joins The FitMind Podcast to share practical, research-backed ways to sharpen focus, lower stress, and keep the brain healthy at any age. Drawing from decades of neuroscience, she explains why multitasking quietly erodes attention and memory and what to do instead. We explore simple, realistic habits that help your mind function at its best: 20-minute single-task blocks, 40 Hz binaural beats for deep focus, and a brief 5-2-7 breathing technique that can quickly calm the nervous system. Dr. Huston also highlights how aerobic movement, dance, and social connection drive neurogenesis and long-term brain vitality. If you've ever felt scattered, stressed, or mentally drained, this episode offers grounded science and clear tools for regaining clarity and calm in daily life. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org SHOW NOTES 00:00 | Intro to Dr. Therese Huston 07:45 | Wellness overwhelm and how she filters research into usable habits 10:06 | Why "practical" matters more than trendy protocols 12:20 | The multitasking myth: short-term mood boost, long-term costs 17:09 | Live demo: single-tasking vs alternating tasks 19:40 | Errors, brain activity, and stress during multitasking 21:51 | Escaping the multitasking loop with timers and clear agreements 24:30 | Focus tools: how to use 40 Hz binaural beats 28:47 | Why multitasking feels productive and how to reframe arousal 32:33 | Before a talk: "excited, not anxious" and stress-as-fuel 36:03 | Guided 5-2-7 breathing and what it does in the body 41:18 | CO₂, vagus nerve, and decision quality after breath cycles 43:19 | Rethinking "amygdala hijack" and protecting prefrontal control 48:18 | BDNF, neurogenesis, and an aerobic exercise target for memory 51:24 | Dance, social connection, and brain longevity 52:53 | Quick fire: myths to ditch and personal focus resets 54:45 | Exercise snacks and team culture ideas
- Sep 16, 20251h 21m
#105: Freediving & Mental Mastery - Will Trubridge
World champion freediver Will Trubridge explores the depths of the mind and ocean, sharing mental techniques honed through decades of extreme performance. In this episode, he explains how breathwork, mindfulness, and what he calls the "mental immune system" can help us face fear, build resilience, and expand awareness. Discover how lessons from the deep sea translate into a healthier, more conscious life on land. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org SHOW NOTES 00:00 | Intro to Will Trubridge 01:21 | Will's Background & Early Freediving 04:59 | Role of Breathwork 09:43 | Physiological Adaptations Underwater 14:16 | Overcoming Fear and Mental Barriers 19:41 | Consciousness in Freediving 26:23 | Parallels to Meditation 31:59 | Limits of the Mind 39:56 | The Mental Immune System 43:59 | Practical Mental Techniques 50:26 | Applying Freediving Lessons to Life 54:53 | Science of Freediving 1:01:31 | Mind-Body Connection 1:09:41 | Awareness Training & Breathwork Exercises 1:14:59 | Closing Insights Website: https://www.williamtrubridge.com Mental Immune System: https://mentalimmunesystem.com
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About The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology
Expert insights on the science of mental fitness. Topics include psychology, neuroscience, mental health, mindfulness meditation, productivity, brain technologies, Stoicism, happiness hacking, and more. Liam McClintock, the Founder of FitMind, talks with leaders in their fields, from neuroscientists and psychologists to Buddhist monks and professional athletes. At FitMind, we believe that the next great human frontier is the mind. FitMind combines ancient techniques with western psychology to provide mental fitness training that is taught at Fortune 500 companies, addiction centers, schools, government organizations, and on the FitMind meditation app.Liam McClintock received a B.A. from Yale and worked in finance before traveling to Asia to study meditation full-time. He is currently completing an MS in Applied Neuroscience at King's College London. Liam is an RYS Certified Yoga & Meditation Instructor and has trained in various meditation styles. He has been featured in Time, Vi
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