<p><span>Emma Seppälä: In this episode of the &#34;Into the Magic Shop&#34; podcast, host Dr. Jim Doty interviews Emma Seppälä, science director at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, about her new book &#34;Sovereign.&#34; They discuss the concept of sovereignty in relation to personal fulfillment and empowerment, addressing issues such as burnout and unhappiness among high achievers, and the importance of self-care, positive self-talk, and positive relationships. Seppälä shares her personal experiences with meditation and her research on breathing techniques for anxiety and trauma. They also touch on the problem of seeking external solutions for internal problems, and the need for a holistic approach in medicine.</span></p>

Tiffany Shlain: Understanding the Brain, Emotions, and Self-Compassion: Navigating Adolescence in the Digital Age

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many were overwhelmed with stress, anxiety and depression. While this epidemic of stress has been growing over the past decade, it has been exacerbated by the pandemic and the divisive nature of political discourse. As a result, many people feel disconnected, inauthentic, and unhappy, while questioning the source of their unhappiness when they presumably have “everything”—an absence of compassion, for oneself and others, is often the source of the problem. Many of us don’t understand the nature of self-compassion nor the power of compassion to improve our lives and alleviate our suffering. By entering the “Magic Shop”, Jim will share his wisdom and introduce a variety of techniques to change the course of one’s life and share his own lessons learned through the exchange of untold stories of his guests. He will interview authors and experts in the fields of philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, spirituality and religion, as well as individuals with unique points of view. He will also engage his listeners by answering their questions and also at times interview listeners who are willing to share their own stories of challenge and hardship. 