Best Cognitive Applications Podcasts (2025)

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From Stone to Ashlar: Softening the Hardened Heart 7:12

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5h ago7:12

7:12

In tumultuous times, it is easy to harden ourselves against pain and call it strength. But endurance without openness risks becoming pride in suffering for its own sake. In this episode, we explore how the Craft reframes suffering not as identity, but as catalyst—inviting us to soften the heart of stone and move toward refinement, compassion, and t…

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The Pillar of Faith: Testing What We Truly Trust 7:10

4h ago7:10

7:10

Faith is more than religion—it is the unseen ground upon which we build our lives. In this episode, we explore faith as the foundation for identity, belief, and behavior. Freemasonry challenges us to examine what we actually place our trust in, and whether those foundations are strong enough to carry us through adversity, growth, and change. 🔑 Key …

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Jason duPont On AI in the Mortgage Industry 40:51

8h ago40:51

40:51

Jason duPont, COO of NEXA Mortgage, reveals how AI transforms mortgage operations from 54-minute loan processing to autonomous underwriting systems. NEXA processes $10 billion annually through 3,300 loan officers and targets $15 billion using agentic AI partnerships. This episode demonstrates practical AI implementation beyond chatbots. DuPont shar…

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The Apron and the Ego: Rewriting the Story of Who We Are 7:46

10h ago7:46

7:46

Identity is less fixed than we imagine—it is the story we tell ourselves about who we are and who we want to be. In this episode, we explore the relationship between identity, ego, belief, and faith, and how Freemasonry challenges us to refine that story. Just as the apron marks a Mason’s work, so too does our self-story evolve as we discard what n…

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How to Become a CBT Therapist: Training, Qualifications & What to Expect 24:48

4d ago24:48

24:48

Thinking about becoming a CBT therapist but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Sahana, a qualified CBT therapist, to explore the full pathway from PWP training to becoming a band 7 CBT therapist. You’ll discover how the training works, what qualifications you need, and what …

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#364 – AMA #75: Diets: how to evaluate and implement any diet including keto, carnivore, vegan, Mediterranean, and more 13:29

23m ago13:29

13:29

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter explores how to determine the right diet for yourself rather than searching for a universal “best” diet. He begins by laying out five non-negotiable criteria that any sust…

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Cognitive Dissonance and the Work of the Craft 7:07

9h ago7:07

7:07

When our beliefs, identity, and behaviors don’t align, we face the uncomfortable tension of cognitive dissonance. In this episode, we examine how Masons often rewrite their identity narratives to justify behavior rather than making real change. The Craft calls us instead to reconciliation: to square our actions, refine our beliefs, and align our id…

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The Point Within the Circle: Reconciling Expressed Identity and Lived Belief 7:40

9d ago7:40

7:40

Identity is the story we tell ourselves and others. Belief is revealed by how we act. In this episode, we explore the tension between expressed identity and lived belief, and how Masonry challenges us to move beyond social labels toward a truer alignment. The conversation invites us to reflect on where our behaviors speak louder than our self-conce…

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Staying Unfinished - Holding Tension Between Work and Result 6:17

15h ago6:17

6:17

Advice often seems contradictory: focus on the work, but don’t ignore the results. This episode explores the paradox between process and outcome, using the Masonic lens of building a temple never truly complete. Through reflection and analogy, we consider how to balance patience with accountability—trusting the process without surrendering our resp…

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Rick Meekins is 6X More Productive With AI + Automation 28:19

23h ago28:19

28:19

Rick Meekins achieves 4-6x productivity gains using ChatGPT and automation tools in precisely the ways Talbot West recommends to enterprise clients: low-risk, high-reward applications that deliver immediate ROI without exposing sensitive data. Rick uploads podcast transcripts to ChatGPT, not proprietary business data. He generates social media cont…

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What Is CBT? How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Helps with Anxiety, Depression & More 42:56

11d ago42:56

42:56

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and researched psychological therapies for anxiety, depression, and low mood but what actually happens in CBT sessions, and how does it work? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by CBT therapist Sahana to explore wh…

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#363 ‒ A new frontier in neurosurgery: restoring brain function with brain-computer interfaces, advancing glioblastoma care, and new hope for devastating brain diseases | Edward Chang, M.D. 1:53:25

1d ago1:53:25

1:53:25

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Edward Chang is a neurosurgeon, scientist, and a pioneering leader in functional neurosurgery and brain-computer interface technology, whose work spans the operating room, the research lab, and the engineering bench to…

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The Tyler’s Sword: Fear as Guardian of the Threshold 6:42

14d ago6:42

6:42

Fear is often painted as an enemy, but in truth it serves as one of our most vigilant protectors. In this episode, we explore fear as the Tyler’s Sword—standing guard at the threshold, sharpening our awareness, and signaling danger when it matters most. The challenge is learning when to let fear guide our vigilance and when to step past it into gro…

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Emotional Geometry: Giving Desire Its Shape 8:25

6d ago8:25

8:25

Desire is not inherently hedonistic or destructive—it is a force, like a line waiting for form. In this episode, we reframe desire as emotional geometry: a function that becomes meaningful only when given direction, boundaries, and proportion. By understanding the shape of our longings, we can refine raw appetite into purposeful action. 🔑 Key Takea…

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Bill McCalpin on AI in Mergers and Acquisitions 52:30

6d ago52:30

52:30

Jacob Andra, podcast host and CEO of Talbot West, interviews Bill McCalpin, investment banker and chair of The Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors. Bill McCalpin reveals why companies with identical revenue and profits sell for vastly different prices: one for $2 million, another for $12 million. The difference comes down to digital transfo…

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Emotional Logic: Understanding the Causes of How We Feel 7:19

18d ago7:19

7:19

Emotions feel immediate and uncontrollable—but Freemasonry reminds us that our long-term responses are shaped by our own discernment. This episode explores the logic behind our emotions, showing how circumstances may spark a reaction but our interpretations sustain it. By understanding emotional responsibility, we discover the power to refine our r…

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The Smartphone Solution: How to Mindfully Introduce Phones to Kids (and Ourselves) 45:50

18d ago45:50

45:50

Smartphones are everywhere but how do we know when (and how) to give one to our kids? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Dr Martha Deiros Collado to talk about her new book, The Smartphone Solution. Together we explore how to mindfully introduce smartphones to children, set hea…

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Lower back pain: causes, treatment, and prevention of lower back injuries and pain | Stuart McGill, Ph.D. (#287 rebroadcast) 2:31:22

8d ago2:31:22

2:31:22

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Stuart McGill is a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo and the chief scientific officer at Backfitpro where he specializes in evaluating complex cases of lower back pain from across the globe…

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Kevin Williams On De-Risking AI Implementations 44:30

11d ago44:30

44:30

Kevin Williams, founder and CEO of Ascend Labs AI, joins Jacob Andra, CEO of Talbot West, to discuss the reality of enterprise AI adoption. Despite the hype, most companies still aren't implementing AI effectively. Kevin breaks down the four pillars that drive real ROI: dev tools, product augmentation, workflow optimization, and strategic positioni…

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Depression, Endurance, and Growth: How to Know Which Is Which 8:08

23d ago8:08

8:08

Adversity is inevitable—but how we respond determines whether it becomes a weight, a test, or a path forward. In this episode, we distinguish between depression, endurance, and growth: three very different experiences that can look the same on the surface. The conversation challenges us to discern when we are stuck, when we are holding steady, and …

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The Rough Ashlar and the Burden: Making Sense of Challenge and Suffering 5:40

25d ago5:40

5:40

Life presents us with both chosen challenges and unchosen suffering. In this episode, we explore how Freemasonry helps us discern between the two, and how both play a role in shaping us into more refined stones. The conversation asks: what does it mean to grow through adversity, and how do we bear the burdens that are not of our choosing? 🔑 Key Tak…

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The Hoodwink and the Unknown: Learning to Trust Yourself 6:03

27d ago6:03

6:03

Self-trust is one of the most difficult—and most necessary—skills to develop. In this episode, we explore how risk-taking becomes the pathway to growth, why the unknown is a powerful tool, and how Freemasonry’s symbols remind us that trust is not blind, but cultivated through experience. Thank you Bro. Brenden P.M. Fritz Lodge #308 in Conshohocken …

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What Is Shame? A Psychologist Explains Its Hidden Power 11:55

27d ago11:55

11:55

Have you ever had a moment where you felt fundamentally flawed? Like something was wrong with you, not just what you did? That’s the voice of shame. In this solo episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent unpacks what shame really is, how it can quietly shape your mental health, and why naming it is a radi…

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#362 ‒ Understanding anxiety: defining, assessing, and treating health anxiety, OCD, and the spectrum of anxiety disorders | Josh Spitalnick, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. 2:15:15

18d ago2:15:15

2:15:15

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Josh Spitalnick is a clinical and research psychologist with expertise in treating a variety of anxiety conditions with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches. In this episode, Josh unpa…

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Beyond the Cornerstone: Why Leaders Must Build More Than One Pillar 7:30

1M ago7:30

7:30

Strong teams—and strong lodges—cannot rest on the shoulders of one or two exceptional members. In this episode, we explore the hidden risks of over-relying on “get it done” people, and how leaders can intentionally cultivate broader competence across their membership. The conversation challenges leaders to think beyond efficiency and toward sustain…

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Jacob Andra & Stephen Karafiath Discuss Applied AI 40:25

19d ago40:25

40:25

Jacob Andra sits down with Stephen Karafiath, technical co-founder of Talbot West, for a wide-ranging discussion on practical AI implementation in enterprise. They cut through the hype to address what actually matters: how businesses can achieve concrete efficiency gains through thoughtful AI deployment while avoiding common pitfalls. Topics Covere…

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Intro to The Applied AI Podcast 1:45

21d ago1:45

1:45

Welcome to The Applied AI Podcast. We're all about practical results. Hosted by Jacob Andra, the CEO of Talbot West, The Applied AI Podcast focuses on value creation from AI. We also cover the pitfalls and concerns companies need to address when implementing AI. Talbot West is a digital transformation consultancy and AI enablement partner for compa…

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Beyond Titles: What the Craft Teaches About Leading Well 8:32

1M ago8:32

8:32

Leadership in the Craft is more than a seat in the East—it’s a practice grounded in clarity, decisiveness, and service. This episode explores how to identify and resolve organizational friction, the importance of early wins, and the deeper responsibilities that come with guiding others in a Masonic context. 🔑 Key Takeaways True leadership starts wi…

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The Cycle of the Lodge: From Apprentice Eyes to Master’s Hands 7:31

1M ago7:31

7:31

Every Mason walks both paths: learning under guidance and leading with wisdom. This episode explores the cyclical nature of leadership and followership in the Craft—how the two inform each other, and how both are essential for the vitality of the Lodge. We look at the mentorship that shapes new Masons and the humility that sustains experienced lead…

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What Do I do if I am Heartbroken, Lost my Job or Had & Sudden Shocking News? 23:18

1M ago23:18

23:18

When your world turns upside down whether from a breakup, job loss, or sudden life-changing news it can feel impossible to cope. In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent shares essential emotional first aid strategies for managing grief, trauma, and distress after unexpected events. You’ll learn …

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#361 - AMA #74: Sugar and sugar substitutes: weight control, metabolic effects, and health trade-offs 15:59

22d ago15:59

15:59

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter explains how to evaluate sugar and its substitutes in the context of health. Peter explores the role of sweeteners in three common use-cases – beverages, protein supplemen…

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Beyond the Veil: What Freemasonry Demands Beyond Esotericism 6:19

1M ago6:19

6:19

Esotericism promises hidden power—but Masonry’s real strength comes from truths that have always been present. In this episode, we strip away the romantic fog of secrecy to uncover what remains when the illusion of “hidden knowledge” is gone. The conversation challenges listeners to anchor their work in what is real, enduring, and already within re…

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From the Cave to the Lodge: Escaping the Shadows of Superstition 8:55

1M ago8:55

8:55

From childhood superstitions to unexamined beliefs in adulthood, our development follows a one-way path. Drawing on the Platonic allegory of the cave, this episode explores how we move from the shadows of illusion toward the light of agency — and why, once we’ve stepped into that light, we can’t truly return to the darkness. Through a Masonic lens,…

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The Pavement We Stand On: History as Context, Not Completion 7:45

1M ago7:45

7:45

Freemasonry treasures its history, but history alone is not the work. In this episode, we explore how fascination with the craft’s past—its legends, figures, and origins—can sometimes obscure the immediate labor of self-improvement. Using the Pavement as our guiding symbol, we reflect on how historical study provides the ground beneath our feet but…

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From Police Officer to Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Age 47 40:46

1M ago40:46

40:46

Is it too late to become a clinical psychologist in your 40s or 50s? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Claire, a former police officer who medically retired, studied psychology with the Open University, and secured her first NHS Assistant Psychologist role at age 45. At 47, sh…

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#360 ‒ How to change your habits: why they form and how to build or break them | Charles Duhigg, M.B.A 2:13:10

1M ago2:13:10

2:13:10

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author known for distilling complex neuroscience and psychology into practical strategies for behavior change, performance, and decision-making. In…

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Dialogue with the Disowned: The Second Person as Masonic Practice 7:36

1M ago7:36

7:36

Some voices within us remain silent—not because they have nothing to say, but because we’ve decided not to listen. In this episode, we explore the act of speaking from the perspectives we disown: parts of ourselves, others we reject, or emotions we avoid. By adopting the second person in writing and speech, we create space for these exiled parts to…

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Perspective Is a Ritual: How We Learn to See From Other Angles 7:06

2M ago7:06

7:06

Freemasonry teaches us to square our actions—but what lens are we using to observe them? In this episode, we explore how shifting between first, second, and third person perspectives reveals more than just situational awareness—it unlocks the rituals of self-observation, empathy, and clarity. Through everyday examples and symbolic reflection, we co…

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The Hoodwink Within: Uncovering the Patterns We Can’t See 7:22

1M ago7:22

7:22

Our most persistent behaviors are often invisible to us. In this episode, we explore the hidden mechanics of action and habit—how the mind shields us from the full pattern of cause and effect, and why self-reflection requires more than casual introspection. Using the metaphor of the Hoodwink, this conversation reveals how unconscious protections ca…

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No Assistant Psychologist Role? How Job Crafting Can Shape Your Psychology Career 45:21

2M ago45:21

45:21

Worried you're falling behind because you haven’t secured an assistant psychologist (AP) role yet? You’re not alone - but don’t panic. In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent explores how job crafting can help you shape a successful psychology career even without a formal AP title. Learn how to …

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#359 ‒ How metabolic and immune system dysfunction drive the aging process, the role of NAD, promising interventions, aging clocks, and more | Eric Verdin, M.D. 2:11:11

1M ago2:11:11

2:11:11

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Eric Verdin is a physician-scientist and the CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose career has centered on understanding how epigenetics, metabolism, and the immune system influence the aging process. In…

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When Willpower Fails: Rethinking the Virtue of Struggle 7:08

2M ago7:08

7:08

We’re taught that if we just try harder, we’ll succeed—and that virtue lies in the trying. But what if that’s not only wrong, but harmful? In this episode, we examine the myth of willpower as a moral virtue, and the emotional collapse that follows when effort alone doesn’t work. Whether it's in the lodge or in life, perseverance is not always the s…

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The right tool for the Job might not be Masonic 6:58

2M ago6:58

6:58

Masonic symbols aren’t sacred because they’re exclusive—they’re sacred because they work. In this episode, we examine the tools of the Craft not as relics, but as psychological instruments—designed to cut through illusion, habit, and excess. From the Gavel’s function of divestment to the metaphorical shedding of rind from fruit, we explore how symb…