In this episode, Rusha interviews Merrick Rosenberg, who discusses the new media landscape and how we all interact wit each other. Merrick discusses the four styles of communication, which are the: Eagle, Dove, Owl, and Parrot. He explains that these styles play out in all aspects of our lives, including our relationships, work, and presidential elections. Merrick goes on to say that this framework is intuitive and similar to the Apgar score used to assess a child’s health. He discusses further the importance of having a good team and how they can help you achieve your goals.

In this episode, Rush interviews Eric Loucks PhD, Eric discusses how mindfulness can be beneficial for students in their academic and personal lives. He also discusses the difference between mindfulness and self-awareness. He shares how mindfulness can be helpful in managing these stresses and he discusses examples from his own experience teaching mindfulness to students. He shares his take on the popularity of mindfulness in the corporate world, noting that while it is good that mindfulness is being incorporated into workplaces, it would be better if more people were taught how to deliver it effectively.     

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:35] – Opening segment

        Rusha introduces Eric Loucks

        Eric has a deep interest in mindfulness and its potential benefits for individuals and populations

                  Mindfulness is about being present in the moment

      Paying Attention to your physical, emotional, and mental experiences and not judging yourself

Eric believes that mindfulness can be easily learned and applied in one’s life, even without social support 

[03:36 – 20:14] –  

        Eric discusses how interconnectedness is key to living a full and meaningful life, and how mindfulness can help us to be more aware of our thoughts and emotions

There is a loneliness epidemic among American teens, and it is due in part to factors like increased student debt, high housing costs, and job instability

      Mental health challenges among young adults are on the rise, and mindfulness training has been shown to be helpful in mitigating these challenges

Young adults are increasingly stressed due to body image issues, loneliness, and social isolation

      Mindfulness can help individuals manage these stresses

There is a new age stage called, “Emerging adulthood” which provides more opportunity for self-reflection and self-actualization

Mindfulness can also be helpful managing career choices and other aspects of life

[20:15 – 25:24] –  

        Eric discusses that young adults today have a higher requirement for self-awareness than in prior generations

Increased need is due to the complexity of life, which includes a greater number of opportunities and challenges

      Mindfulness can help young adults develop greater self-awareness and control over their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

He found that the combo of the self-awareness and the attention control, comes through their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

He discusses how career shifting is a wise choice in order to be successful

            To create different platforms and to create opportunities

[25:25 – 34:24] –  

        Eric discusses how young adults today have a higher requirement for self-awareness than in prior generations

This increased need is due to the complexity of life, which includes a greater number of opportunities and challenges

      He discusses how mindfulness can help young adults develop greater self-awareness and control over their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

This increased demand for self-awareness has led to an increase in anxiety and depressions in college students

[34:25 – 41:23]

Eric discusses the book called, “Unwinding Anxiety”

He introduces, Dr. Jud Brewer

            He teaches mindfulness through digital platforms and has created a digital community of mindfulness practitioners

There is evidence that apps like Headspace can be beneficial, but we need more credentialed and validated resources to help everyone access mindfulness training

[41:24 – 46:31] – Closing Segment

        Eric suggests his listeners to find information about mindfulness and learn how to practice mindfulness online

        How to connect with Eric Loucks PhD at http://ericloucksphd.com/

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Tweetable Quotes:

Eric Loucks PhD – “Mindfulness helps us know what our thoughts are doing and what our emotions are. And there are thoughts and emotions and physical sensations are the only information we have to tell us what reality is, and then to act on it skillfully.”

Eric Loucks PhD – “I always encourage having a skilled teacher available to you, whether it’s a healthcare provider, like a psychologist, maybe for example, who has mindfulness training can be a benefit, but also to really trust our wisdom more than the words of any teacher. Our thoughts and our emotions are going to tell us the most about what we need and to really listen and trust that no matter what, someone in a position of authority, including myself is saying, to really trust our own wisdom. And that’s probably going to tell us what’s going to be the best fit to help us learn what we’re wanting to learn.”

Rusha Modi – “I think that in response to an increasingly more complex and chaotic world, is a desire to connect with practices that can give people an opportunity to respond more effectively for it.”