What happens when you turn personal adversity into a mission that touches thousands of lives? Alex Howard, founder of Conscious Life and a trailblazer in the field of personal development and therapy, joins us to share his transformative journey. From battling chronic fatigue syndrome as a teenager to creating a clinic that has been a beacon of hope for over two decades, Alex’s story is one of resilience and purpose. We delve into his YouTube series “In Therapy,” which opens the door to real therapeutic journeys, making mental health support more accessible to all.
In our conversation, we also navigate the intricate world of modern parenting and relationships. Balancing the need to protect our children while letting them learn from life’s challenges can be daunting. As a parent to neurodiverse children myself, I share personal anecdotes on this balancing act and how teamwork in marriage plays a critical role. We discuss the importance of being emotionally responsive and rational, highlighting how overcoming life’s hurdles can lead to personal growth and deeper connections.
Finally, we uncover the controversial saga of Andrew Cohen, a spiritual leader whose community experienced both sublime enlightenment and profound exploitation. We discuss how social media exposed the darker sides of his leadership and Cohen’s attempts at making amends. Drawing wisdom from spiritual luminaries like Ram Dass and the Dalai Lama, we explore the delicate balance between ego and service amidst fame. Through heartfelt dialogue and shared experiences, this episode underscores the transformative power of compassion, kindness, and genuine human connection.
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Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.
Malcolm Stern in conversation with guests.
