Ollie sits down with Pierre Boulliane for a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche. Together, they unpack some of life’s deepest questions: What is consciousness, and what truly has it? How does the ego form and why does it so often control us? What role does the hidden “shadow” play in shaping our behavior? This conversation goes far beyond theory - it touches on the practical ways we can expand consciousness to improve wellbeing, confront and integrate our shadow, and learn to detach from the destructive side of the ego. Whether you’re curious about mindfulness, the roots of self-identity, or how to find peace, this episode is a deep dive into the inner forces that shape our lives.
Recorded on May 19, 2025
TIME STAMPS
(0:00) - Coming Up
(0:54) - Introduction
(4:37) - The Mystery of Consciousness: What Really Has It?
(11:26) - Why Consciousness May Hold the Key to Ethics
(13:41) - How Expanding Awareness Improves Your Life
(18:54) - Ego Explained: The Self You Think You Are
(23:44) - The Birth of Ego: How It Develops in Childhood
(26:39) - The Role Ego Plays in Daily Survival
(29:34) - Detach From the Destructive Forces of the Ego
(44:38) - Why Ego Always Wants More - How to Stop It
(57:55) - The Shadow Explained: The Dark Side of the Mind
(1:05:38) - Reintegrating the Parts of Yourself You Hide Away
(1:10:01) - Stop Overthinking and Start Accepting Yourself
(1:18:20) - How Solitude Helps You Discover the Real You
(1:28:51) - Exploring the Hidden Shadows Within Religion
(1:33:04) - Shadow Work 101: Exploring Your Hidden Self
(1:43:13) - Exploring Good, Evil, and the Voice Within
(1:49:48) - The Dance Between Ego and Shadow
(1:54:58) - Mindfulness as the Path to Inner Calm
BOOKS USED TO CREATE THE EPISODE
- A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose: https://amzn.to/3IGmntM
- Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness: https://amzn.to/472D1wY
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment: https://amzn.to/46LahaE
- Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature: https://amzn.to/4pKpYHS
- Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche: https://amzn.to/3KpZ1ZW
- The Laws of Human Nature: https://amzn.to/3ImZewt
- Projections: A Story of Human Emotions: https://amzn.to/42iD9Wr
- The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in An Age of Diminishing Expectations : https://amzn.to/4gN2nCl
- Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion: https://amzn.to/4nvY

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