Best Tim Maudlin Podcasts (2025)

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265 - Jacob Barandes: A New Foundation for Quantum Mechanics 3:14:17

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31m ago3:14:17

3:14:17

Jacob Barandes is Senior Preceptor in Physics at Harvard University, where he works widely across the philosophy of physics, with focuses on the foundations of quantum mechanics, the philosophy of spacetime, and the metaphysics of laws. In this episode, Robinson and Jacob focus on the foundations of quantum mechanics. They discuss the importance of…

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219 – Tim’s Adoption Struggle: The Hidden Pain and Unexpected Hope 29:08

5d ago29:08

29:08

Have you ever reached a point in your adoption journey where the weight of fear, uncertainty, or unanswered prayers felt like too much to carry on your own? 💔 For many adoptive parents, those moments show up quietly—and the real question becomes: How do I hear God when everything around me feels loud or overwhelming? 💭 Hi Neighbor, Today’s episode …

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218 – Sitting With Your Child’s Pain: The Power of Empathy for Adoptive Parents (with Jane Baker) 18:01

13d ago18:01

18:01

Has your adopted child ever experienced loss, rejection, or disappointment when seeking connection with their birth family? 💔 It’s a deep, emotional pain that can shake both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, When an adoptee reaches out to their birth family and is rejected, the pain can be overwhelming. In this emot…

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264 - Lee Cronin: The Chemistry of Life 2:00:40

12d ago2:00:40

2:00:40

Lee Cronin is Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Among his many pursuits are the digitization of chemistry, the discovery of alien life, and the creation of artificial life. In this episode, Robinson and Lee focus on astrobiology, the chemistry of life as we know it, and the controversies surrounding artificial intelligence. Le…

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217 – The Potential Pain of Adoption Reunions and How to Support Your Child (with Jane Baker) 14:37

20d ago14:37

14:37

What if my child reaches out and gets rejected for a second time? 💔 Has your adopted child ever searched for their birth family with hope in their heart, only to face silence, disappointment, or outright rejection? It’s a kind of pain that shakes both the child and the parent who longs to protect them. 💭 Hi Neighbor, In this episode, I continue my …

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216 – 5 Anxiety Bible Verses for Adoptive Parents in the Fog of Uncertainty 10:36

22d ago10:36

10:36

When the path ahead feels unclear and your heart feels heavy with “what ifs,” it can seem like you’re walking through a fog that just won’t lift. Hi Neighbor, In this episode, we talk about what it means to trust God when you can’t see what’s next in your adoption journey. I’ll share 5 anxiety Bible verses—timeless truths from Scripture to help you…

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263 - Sara Imari Walker: Astrobiology, Aliens, and the Origin of Life 1:47:05

26d ago1:47:05

1:47:05

Sara Imari Walker is Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, where she is Deputy Director of the Beyond Center. Sara is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist, with research interests in the origins of life, artificial life, life and detection on other worlds. In this episode, Robinson and Sara discu…

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215 – Can a Story That Begins in Loss Still End in Hope? (with Adoptee Ayden Lincoln) 35:50

1M ago35:50

35:50

When your story begins in loss, can it still lead to hope? 💛 What does it look like to let God rewrite your story of abandonment, identity, and belonging? Hi Neighbor, Sometimes the most powerful stories of faith begin in the hardest places. That’s true for my guest, Ayden Lincoln, an adoption advocate, author, and adult adoptee who was found aband…

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214 – When Faith Feels Distant and Parenting Feels Heavy: Can Journaling Help You Hear God? (with Jenny Fulford) 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

Are you in a season that feels more like survival than hope? What if healing doesn’t look like getting through it but learning to meet God in it? 🌿 Hearing God’s voice isn’t always easy, especially when life feels heavy and faith feels quiet. 💔 Hi Neighbor, In this heartfelt conversation, Jenny Fulford shares how God met her in a season of silence …

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262 - Slavoj Žižek: Marxism, Quantum Mechanics, and Artificial Intelligence 1:38:59

1M ago1:38:59

1:38:59

Visit our sponsor, Wealthfront!: wealthfront.com/robinson Slavoj Žižek is international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at the University of London, visiting professor at New York University, and a senior researcher at the University of Ljubljana’s Department of Philosophy. This is Slavoj’s fifth appearance on the show. On epi…

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213 – Will My Adopted Child Ever Heal? Wisdom from Adoptee Jackson TerKeurst 15:34

2M ago15:34

15:34

Healing isn’t a quick fix! Patience is the real work of adoption. 💛 How can adoptive parents and adoptees apply these principles in their own journeys? Hi Neighbor, I’ve learned when I wrap up an interview to keep the recording going. Because more often than not, something unexpected and meaningful happens once the microphone should have been turne…

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212 – When Adoption Stories Hurt: Helping Your Child Through the Hard Moments (with Jane Baker) 15:13

2M ago15:13

15:13

“If your own mother won’t fight to keep you, what does that say about you?” Has your adopted child ever asked a question that stopped you in your tracks? Something so deep and painful, you weren’t sure how to answer?💔 Hi Neighbor, In this powerful episode, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. Jane brings de…

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211 – BONUS Minisode: You’re Not Alone! Compassion, Connection & Community for Adoptive Parents 2:15

2M ago2:15

2:15

Imagine a group of compassionate adoptive parents. A safe place where people GET IT, share encouragement, and offer practical, faith-rooted support. Sounds amazing, right? 💛 Hi Neighbor, I’d like to take a moment to invite you into something special I built for adoptive parents. Something described in three words: compassion, connection, and commun…

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261 - Tyler Cowen: The Economics of Artificial Intelligence 1:07:36

2M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Go to https://surfshark.com/robinsonerhardt and use code robinsonerhardt at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Tyler Cowen is the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and serves as chairman and faculty director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. A dedicated writer and communicator of economic…

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210 – How to Tell Your Child the Truth About Their Adoption (with Jane Baker) 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

Has your child started asking questions about their birth family? 🤔 Do you worry about what to say or how much to share? 💬 What if your honesty could actually strengthen your child’s trust and sense of belonging? 💛 Hi Neighbor, In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down again with my friend and trusted adoption professional, Jane Baker. Jane has wa…

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209 – 3 Biblical Steps to Eliminate Hurry and Find Peace, Calm, and Rest 11:20

2M ago11:20

11:20

❗Are you constantly rushing, feeling like there’s never enough time in the day? 💭Do you long for real peace, but life’s chaos keeps pulling you away? 🌟What if slowing down could actually help you experience God’s presence more fully? Hi Neighbor, A simple card on my cabin door inspired this unplugged episode. “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your l…

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260 - Reid Hoffman: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity 1:24:37

2M ago1:24:37

1:24:37

Reid Hoffman is the co-founder of LinkedIn, Manas AI, and Inflection AI. As an investor at Greylock, he is one of the leading figures in the tech industry, working at the forefront of AI development. In this episode, Reid and Robinson talk all about the future of AI. They begin by covering the worst case scenario—doomsday—and why Reid is optimistic…

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208 – Finding Peace in Pain No One Understands: Psalm 3 for Adoptive Parents 15:58

2M ago15:58

15:58

He experienced one tragedy after another 💔. If that wasn't enough, he then experienced the ultimate act of betrayal 😢. How could a son do this to his father? Life would never be the same. Yet through it all, he was still able to find peace. Hi Neighbor, As an adoptive parent, have you faced sleepless nights filled with fear, wondering if peace will…

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207 – Encouraging Bible Verses to Help Adoptive Parents Partner with God and Keep Going 12:14

3M ago12:14

12:14

He faced one discouraging obstacle after another. Yet through it all, he persisted. How did he do it? First, he partnered with God. Hi Neighbor! Do you ever feel like you’re facing one discouraging obstacle after another in your adoption journey? You’re not alone. 💔 As an adoptive parent and coach, I know exactly what that feels like and how to per…

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259 - Kenneth Roth: Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, and How to Shame a Dictator 1:13:32

3M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

Support our sponsor, FarmKind, to fix factory farming: https://www.farmkind.giving The code “ROBINSON” will increase your donation by 50% with a bump from large donors. Kenneth Roth is the Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor at the Princeton School for Public and International Affairs. Until August 2022, he served for nearly three decade…

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206 – The Worst Advice for Adoptive Parents? And Why It Turned Out to Be the Best 8:53

3M ago8:53

8:53

It was the worst advice I ever received as an adoptive parent and, strangely enough, it turned out to be the best advice too. Hi Neighbor, If you’ve ever felt crushed by unsolicited advice 😣 or wondered if you’re failing your kids 💔, you’re not alone. Some words sting and stay with you—but sometimes, with time and perspective, they can also become …

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205 – If You’re Feeling Lost as an Adoptive Parent? THIS Could Be Your Lifeline! 8:03

3M ago8:03

8:03

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 🌿 Ecclesiastes 3:1 Whatever season you’re in on your adoption journey, we can get through it together. If you’re feeling lost as an adoptive parent, THIS could be your lifeline. Remember, you’re not alone! Hi Neighbor, Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us: there’s a time for …

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258 - Richard Wolff: Donald Trump’s Tariff War Dissected 2:07:47

3M ago2:07:47

2:07:47

Support our sponsor, FarmKind, to fix factory farming: https://www.farmkind.giving The code “ROBINSON” will increase your donation by 50% with a bump from large donors. Richard Wolff is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a visiting professor at The New School, where he works on economics in the Marxist tr…

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204 – 5 Encouraging Bible Verses to Guide Adoptive Parents Through Life’s Fog 8:45

3M ago8:45

8:45

How do you navigate through the fog of life? I would like to suggest you consider relying on Someone with a better vantage point ✨. Someone who can shine the light on your path. Hi Neighbor, Adoptive life can feel foggy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Sometimes the best way forward is to slow down, trust a higher perspective 🙏, and let go of needing …

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203 – Why Do Good People Suffer? 3 Hidden Benefits for Adoptive Parents 29:06

4M ago29:06

29:06

Why do bad things happen to good people? Sometimes the answer can only be seen through the perspective of time ⏳. Hi Neighbor! In this episode, we’ll dive into the story of Joseph in Genesis 📖 and see how time gave him clarity on why he suffered the things he did. We’ll also explore 1 Corinthians and Romans to discover 3 powerful benefits of why go…

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257 - Carl Hart: The Neuroscience of Drugs and Their Role in the Good Life 1:45:37

4M ago1:45:37

1:45:37

Carl Hart is Mamie Phipps Clark Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, where he researches the behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs in humans. In this wide-ranging conversation, Robinson and Carl discuss drugs from many different angles, touching on the neuroscience of addiction, the opioid crisis, drugs’ conne…

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202 – Struggling with Conflict? Here’s a Simple Tool to Empower Your Adopted Child with Erich Nelson 43:06

4M ago43:06

43:06

As an adoptive parent, the way you were parented may or may not be the best approach in parenting your adopted child. Hi Neighbor! When what you’re doing as a parent 🚫 isn’t working, how do you flip the script 🔄 and approach parenting differently? 🤔 In this episode, one of the individuals who helped my son Jonny navigate the challenges of residenti…

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201 – How Do You Love an Adopted Child Who Won’t Let You In? Jackson TerKeurst’s Story of Survival, Hope, and Healing 44:09

4M ago44:09

44:09

When connection feels impossible, is it still love? (Yes! Here’s how.) Hi Neighbor, Today, I’m joined by my neighbor from West Africa by way of Nashville, Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson opens up about his journey from civil war in Liberia to Tennessee, and what it was like to be an adopted teenager with walls built for survival. He brings a powerful pe…

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256 - Tim Maudlin: A Masterclass on the Philosophy of Time 3:08:42

4M ago3:08:42

3:08:42

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at NYU and Founder and Director of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. This is Tim’s eighth appearance on the show. His second to last appeared on episode 246 for a masterclass on Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, explaining it from the ground up and elucidating some common mi…

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200 – Feeling Alone in Your Adoption Journey? You’re Not the Only One 18:37

4M ago18:37

18:37

If you’ve ever felt like no one truly understands what you’re going through as an adoptive parent, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Hi Neighbor, Today marks not only our 200th episode, but also the third anniversary of this podcast. What started as a simple idea and a backyard walk has now grown into a global community of adoptive parents se…

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199 – Is Frustration Stealing Your Joy? 3 Ways to Get It Back 16:36

5M ago16:36

16:36

Have you ever been so frustrated by things going on around you that you couldn't see clearly, you couldn't think clearly, your judgment was impaired? What's a person to do about that? May I suggest you work on raising your awareness? Hi Neighbor! In this episode, I share a personal story about a time when I became so frustrated that I almost missed…

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255 - Michael Hudson: Trump, China, AI, and the Untold History of Economics 2:37:36

5M ago2:37:36

2:37:36

Michael Hudson is Distinguished Research Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and President of the Institute for the Study of Long-Term Economic Trends. He researches domestic and international finance, the history of economics, and the role of debt in shaping class stratification, among many other topics. This is Micha…

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198 – Anxiety Management for Adoptive Parents: 3 Write Ways to Find Calm in the Chaos 10:45

5M ago10:45

10:45

Is adoption life chaotic for you? Is it even possible to find peace in the middle of meltdowns, uncertainty, and daily struggles? I believe it is. Not just to see calm from a distance but to actually experience it, even in the middle of the storm. But first, you’ll need to become a copycat. Hi Neighbor, If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious as a…

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197 – Feeling Alone as an Adoptive Parent? 7 Anchors to Offer Hope 18:33

5M ago18:33

18:33

Have you ever felt completely alone—like you were the only one facing something so hard it seemed no one else could understand? What do you do in those moments? Who do you turn to? If you’re an adoptive parent feeling that way right now, may I gently suggest this: it’s time to grab hold of an anchor. Hi Neighbor,⁣ I’m imagining an adoptive parent l…

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254 - The Yale US-China Forum: Slavoj Žižek, Richard Wolff, Yannis Varoufakis, Robin Visser, Yascha Mounk, Pei Wang, Daniel Mattingly 2:04:14

5M ago2:04:14

2:04:14

In this special episode, Robinson and Karl Zheng Wang co-host at the Yale US-China Forum. Return guests from the show include Slavoj Žižek, Richard Wolff, and Yascha Mounk. Slavoj Žižek is international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at the University of London, visiting professor at New York University, and a senior research…

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196 – Parenting a Child with RAD: An Adoptive Mom’s Story of Heartbreak and Strength 37:31

5M ago37:31

37:31

“By the time he left, I felt like I was close to a mental breakdown. And I would tell my husband over and over, I can’t do this much longer. I just can’t. You know, I would go sit in the Walmart parking lot for three hours until he went to bed. And so I was avoiding my whole family. That affected my husband because here my husband is supposed to be…

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195 – Are You a Struggling Adoptive Parent? 3 Ways To Restore The Sparkle In Your Eyes 15:38

5M ago15:38

15:38

Could it be that the very struggles you've walked through have prepared you to encourage someone else? Hi Neighbor!⁣ Why do bad things happen in life? Some might say, “That’s just life.” But I believe there’s a deeper meaning behind that question, something worth pausing to reflect on. In this episode, let’s reframe that narrative together. I’ll sh…

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253 - Peter Zeihan: China’s Fall, America’s Rise, and the End of the World Order 1:07:30

6M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Peter Zeihan is a geopolitical analyst, futurist, and best-selling author who researches and strategizes around demography, economics, energy, politics, technology, and security. In this episode, Peter and Robinson focus on revisiting content from his latest book—The End of the World is Just the Beginning—in the context of today’s developments. Mor…

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194 – How Music Therapy Can Make a Difference for Your Adopted Child 29:11

6M ago29:11

29:11

Even adults who haven’t been through trauma can tell you that it’s sometimes difficult to talk about our feelings. I think that is the beauty of music therapy. Because clients can come. They don’t necessarily need to say exactly what they want to explore. We can just explore in music. Hi Neighbor, Did you know that music can be a powerful tool for …

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193 – Reflections on Losing My Friend and Anchor of Encouragement 17:25

6M ago17:25

17:25

Sometimes, life has a way of knocking the wind out of us, suddenly and without warning. Hi Neighbor, How do you navigate those unexpected changes or losses that shake your world? Over time, I’ve learned to find steady ground through simple practices, prayer, journaling, or even a quiet walk outside. In the midst of grief, these anchors have become …

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252 - David Kipping: Alien Civilizations, Megastructures, Spacecraft, and Artificial Intelligence 3:05:21

6M ago3:05:21

3:05:21

David Kipping is a Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University, where he runs Cool Worlds Lab and researches planets and moons that revolve around stars other than our own, in addition to his own work on the search for—and theorization about—alien life. In this episode, David and Robinson have a wide-ranging conversation about extraterrestrials. …

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192 – How to Help Your Adopted Child Out of a Ditch Without Falling in Yourself? 5:09

6M ago5:09

5:09

When your adopted child is struggling, how can you support them while being okay yourself? Hi Neighbor, Ever felt like your adopted child was stuck in an emotional ditch? Today’s segment, Getting Out of the Ditch, comes from Episode 183. Jane Baker uses a powerful metaphor: if your child is down in a ditch, you can’t help them by jumping in after t…

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191 – Phone Calls, Police, and Pizza: Navigating Crisis as an Adoptive Parent 5:28

6M ago5:28

5:28

As adoptive parents, we often face incredibly challenging moments, especially when our kids are struggling or make choices that push us to the brink. Hi Neighbor, When things go south, what can you do? You can call the therapist, the case worker, or sometimes, even the police. But what’s next? How can you be okay even if your kids aren’t? Today’s s…

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190 – A Hero Who Never Experienced the Joy of Being Called Daddy 5:53

7M ago5:53

5:53

He was called son. He was called grandson. He was called nephew. He was called cousin, and he was called brother. But he was never called husband. He was never called daddy, and he was never called grandpa because he never came home. I hope when I’m finished telling you his story, you might consider calling him hero. Hi Neighbor, This episode was r…

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251 - Eliezer Yudkowsky: Artificial Intelligence and the End of Humanity 2:51:13

7M ago2:51:13

2:51:13

Eliezer Yudkowsky is a decision theorist, computer scientist, and author who co-founded and leads research at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute. He is best known for his work on the alignment problem—how and whether we can ensure that AI is aligned with human values to avoid catastrophe and harness its power. In this episode, Robinson and…

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189 – Why Should Adoptive Parents Nurture Their Relationships? 5:10

7M ago5:10

5:10

Feeling overwhelmed as an adoptive parent? You can’t pour from an empty cup! Hi Neighbor, Parenting, especially in adoptive families, can be overwhelming. There’s only so much you can give before you have nothing more to offer. Today’s segment, The Magic Is in Nurturing Your Relationships, comes from Episode 183. I want to encourage you to listen, …

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188 – Family-Time Matters! The Importance of Slowing Down and Making Memories for Adoptive Families 7:05

7M ago7:05

7:05

Life as an adoptive family can feel like a never-ending whirlwind. What can adoptive parents do to help their family connect and find calm when feeling overwhelmed or stressed? Hi Neighbor, As adoptive parents, it’s easy to get swept away by busy schedules and endless to-dos. Life will pile on demands until you intentionally slow down. It’s okay to…

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250 - Norman Finkelstein: Trump, Israel, Gaza, and the Criminalization of Dissent 3:00:19

7M ago3:00:19

3:00:19

Norman Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department, and is best known for his research on Israel and Palestine. Norman also appeared on episodes 192, 218, 228, and 244, where he addressed the facts and fictions generated by the Israel-Hamas War, October 6th, allegations of genocide and apartheid, Hezbollah, the Ho…

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187 – Adoptive Parents: Don’t Be Afraid to Go to Therapy 9:06

7M ago9:06

9:06

Parenting an adopted child comes with unique challenges, and healing starts with you. Here’s how to truly support your adopted child and yourself. Hi Neighbor, Navigating the intricate journey of adoptive parenting presents unexpected hurdles, especially when trauma, healing, and family history are involved. Today’s segment, Don’t Be Afraid to Go t…

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186 – Manifestations of Unresolved Grief in Adopted Children: The Signs to Look For 9:51

7M ago9:51

9:51

Unresolved grief isn’t always obvious: Grief in adopted children often goes unrecognized, especially in the early years. Challenging behaviors aren’t always just a phase, they can be signals of deeper emotional pain. Hi Neighbor, As adoptive parents, we strive to create safe and loving homes. Yet, sometimes, deeper emotional layers, like unresolved…