The Dream Catcher Podcast

[Interview] Finding Wisdom & Enlightenment in the Classics of Western Literature (feat. Dean Sluyter)

Enlightenment can be found in the most unexpected places, including in Western literature. According to my guest, Dean Sluyter, there’s a lot we can learn from several beloved classics. 

We can read Hemingway as haiku, learn mindfulness from Virginia Woolf, see Dickinson and Whitman as Buddhas of poetry, and Huck Finn and Gatsby as seekers of the infinite.

In this interview, we’ll learn more about Dean’s unique insights into mindfulness and awakening.

Dean Sluyter has taught natural methods of meditation and awakening since 1970. His five highly acclaimed books include the bestsellers such as Natural Meditation. Dean gives sessions throughout the United States and beyond, from Ivy League colleges to maximum-security prisons. His media appearances have included The New York Times, The Dr. Oz Show, and The Oprah Magazine. A student of Eastern and Western sages in several traditions, Dean has completed numerous pilgrimages and retreats in India, Tibet, Nepal, and the West.

During our discussion, Dean explains the wisdom we can glean from several literary giants he mentions in his new book, “The Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics,” and how we can apply them in daily life. He also offers advice on enhancing our meditation and mindfulness practice.

6 Types of Philosophy That Will Enrich Your World View

Philosophy has been around since early civilization. Numerous branches have developed all over the world, each one uniquely thought-provoking. 

Contrary to popular belief, philosophy is not a dry subject with little practical application. It can benefit us in many ways and be a place we can turn to find answers. 

Consider these six types of philosophy as you contemplate the big questions.

Different Types of Attention: How to Improve Focus and Get More Done

Focus is the ability to set one’s attention on a particular subject until achieving the desired outcome. When we’re focused, we channel all our concentration and energy on a specific task. 

However, concentration is a lost art. Our world is dominated by smartphones and other distracting stimuli that make us accessible every moment of the day. 

Fortunately, we can improve focus and get more done by learning about how the mind functions and the different types of attention.

[Interview] The Art of Storytelling: How to Tell An Inspiring Story (feat. David Bossert)

Humans have been telling stories for tens of thousands of years.

That’s because our brains are hardwired to engage with the narratives we read and hear. This makes storytelling extremely effective when used with purpose and direction.

It can inspire people to want to change, but only if it connects with them emotionally. To tell us more about what it takes to tell compelling stories, I invited David Bossert.

David Bossert is an award-winning artist, filmmaker, and author. He was a long-time animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios, who worked on iconic films such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. He’s also written several books such as “Remembering Roy E. Disney,” “Dali & Disney Destino,” and “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search For Lost Cartoons.”

David shares his creative process and what he learned about the key elements of storytelling while working for Disney, one of the world's most renowned storytelling companies. He also talks about the power of stories to evoke emotion and how to apply it in our own projects.

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!

The Halo Effect: How it Influences Our Relationships (and why it matters)

All of us judge people by their appearance. From hairstyle to posture, we look at everything to build a picture of them in our minds. We instantly evaluate and make assumptions based on outer personas. Other people do the same to us.

By nature, we’re prone to taking people at face value. It’s convenient, and it’s an instinctive response to determine trustworthiness. First impressions count, but we must know that our judgments can go wrong due to the cognitive bias of the halo effect. 

Find out what the halo effect is and how to prevent it from affecting your decision-making.

The Different Types of Success and How to Focus on The Right One’s

In looking at your life, can you unequivocally say that pursuing your goals makes you happy? If not, it’s time to redefine what success means to you.

Success lies in the process of creation and discovery, not in the potential side-effects of money or praise. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to climb the proverbial ladder of success - the problem lies in how we relate to it. 

Consider other perspectives and the different types of success to create a definition that feels right and is worthy of your time, effort, and emotions.

[Interview] Living Your Epic Journey: How to Distill Wisdom from Your Story (feat. Amy Edelstein)

So many of us undervalue our own experience and overlook the wisdom that can support us daily. These habits of self-sabotage knock the wind out of our sails and keep us searching and grasping for what we have already realized. 

One way to overcome this is to see our life as a unique epic journey and to become aware of the transformation we experience through the peaks and valleys of life. 

To help us find inspiration, I invited Amy Edelstein.

Amy Edelstein is the author of six books, including the award-winning The Conscious Classroom. Founder of the non-profit Inner Strength Education and recipient of a Philadelphia Social Innovator's award, Amy's work has empowered 17,000 teens in under-resourced schools with mindfulness and systems thinking.

During our conversation, Amy shares what she learned during an epic journey she took in 1983 when she journeyed to the remote western corner of the Tibetan Plateau in Zanskar, India. She also offers ideas on how to view our own life as a journey so that we feel empowered and immersed in the richness of everyday living. 

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!

What is Paganism and How it’s Celebrated Today

Paganism is a broad term for various traditions that are commonly polytheistic and steeped in the natural world. 

Because Pagan beliefs are so entrenched in nature, there’s genuine respect for the planet and conserving its beauty and resources. Today, Paganism is either shrouded in mystery or misunderstood. 

Find out everything you need to know about Paganism, including its beliefs, history, early and modern-day practices, and how we can incorporate some of it into our own lives.

4 Decision Making Models to Help You Make Better Decisions

Every day, we face hundreds of choices — from what to eat for dinner to the more complex ones that impact our future.

Most of us aren't equipped for problem-solving because it's not something we're taught in school. But, it's a skill set that everyone should have in their toolkit. 

One way to acquire it is by using decision making models, a process used to simplify the process. These four decision making models offer different ways to help you think about various problems and make better decisions.

[Interview] The Power of Storytelling and Telling Women’s Stories (feat. Elizabeth Lesser)

History is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values. That’s why stories have the power to shape our world and define our identity.

However, for most of human history, the storytellers have been men — and women’s voices have been largely absent. 

According to my guest, Elizabeth Lesser, had there been an equal blend of male and female voices, it would have changed our culture, our values, and the way we live.

In her new book, “Cassandra Speaks,” she explores these issues in-depth, which we will be discussing in this episode.

Elizabeth Lesser is the author of The Seeker’s Guide, Marrow and the NYT bestseller Broken Open. She is the co-founder of Omega Institute, recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, spirituality, creativity, and social change. She’s given two popular TED talks and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, a collection of leaders using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.

In this interview, Elizabeth and I discuss the messages in stories we’ve been told through the ages and its impact on how women feel about our appearance, sense of power, and their abilities. We also talk about the steps that we can take to change the narrative so that it empowers both women and men. 

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!