Highly Functioning
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago -Highly Functioning is a podcast and community built around exploring the human mind, with a goal of understanding and optimizing "non-neurotypicals". If you want to better understand your mind such that you can flourish as a human, this podcast and community is exactly where you're meant to be.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Free Will
June 30, 2021 14:14 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about free will. We talk about our own opinions on the topic, the arguments from both sides on whether free will exists, and explore our beliefs on idea that “everything happens for a reason”. We also introduce the notion of applying focus versus drifting and how it may causing the common mid-life crisis as well as talk about how the habits we instill now may become barries to exercising you free will in the future. As always thank you for listening, be sur...
Running in Reverse
June 16, 2021 14:13 - 53 minutes - 61.5 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about looking forwards and backwards. We touch on the differences, pros and cons of depth and breadth of thinking and talk about the ways in which we intake, integrate and generate new knowledge differently. A key concept we touched on is managing people with principles as opposed to rules, using Agile & Design Thinking on yourself and how anxiety can result in Impulsive thinking and/or analysis paralysis. As always thank you for listening, be sure to subscr...
Feeling Stuck in Your Family
June 02, 2021 14:22 - 36 minutes - 41.2 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about feelings of Stockholm syndrome within your friends and family. We explore cultural values and personal experience that shape this feeling within us and share our own stories about making the decision to go outside our own circles. Key concepts we talked about are about how moving away from you family doesn’t have to equate to cutting them off and how a sense of community and individuality can co-exist and do so in many ways As always thank you for lis...
Impact of Childhood
May 19, 2021 14:19 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about the impact of childhood on how you manifest as an adult. We talk about our own personal experiences of reflecting on childhood events that affect our judgement and personality, the effect of our parents on our worldview and learning to be okay with the discomfort of change. Key concepts we talk about are defining your identity, the use of thought records as a tool to explore your past and how it's okay to change multiple times until you find version of...
KNOWLEDGE vs ACCREDITATION
February 17, 2021 19:15 - 50 minutes - 58 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about seeking knowledge instead of accreditation. We talk about the underlying use of accreditation, how it manifests in the culture and how its bastardization affects our behaviour. Throughout this episode, we also discuss how to gain, integrate and apply knowledge effectively and also shared a few personal stories along the way. As always thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe on YouTube and your favourite podcasting app. Follow us and like us at @...
MINDSET - Our Deepest Fear
January 27, 2021 15:43 - 55 minutes - 64 MBOn this weeks episode we talk about a change in mindset. We do this by reflecting on the famous quote, “our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”. Throughout this episode, we reflect on the difficulties of taking responsibility for your decisions, exercising control over your actions and doing away with the idea that you’re not worthy of your potential. Key concepts we talked about is the difference between lapses in knowled...
WHAT'S NEXT | Reflections and Projections for Highly Functioning
January 13, 2021 14:46 - 44 minutes - 50.5 MBOn this weeks episode we talk about our year in review. Our last year, our learnings, our setbacks and our successes. We also talk about things we have planned for the future, how the podcast might be structured, and the possibility of a future newsletter. Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BONUS | How to be Authentic and Feel your Emotions
January 05, 2021 16:21 - 1 hour - 91.1 MBWelcome to our first bonus episode. This was a post episode recording but thought it was one of the most important videos to share. The topic we talk about is authenticity and feeling your emotions, particularly on air or in a public sphere. We think it really shows how to have an emotional conversation and we both felt we left the conversation feeling fresh and validated. We hope to provide a looking glass into our conversation so you can use this approach in your own lives. Hosted on Acas...
THINKING | What Are Standing Orders?
December 09, 2020 22:38 - 33 minutes - 38.8 MBThis week we discuss standing orders. What they are, how they are relevant to mindfulness and the correct and incorrect ways to implement them. A key point we touch on are how standing orders and other mindfulness tools may be used differently for different people, and how it is important to understand what works best for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fight or Flight Response
December 02, 2020 22:06 - 54 minutes - 62.4 MBThis week we discuss the fight or flight response. We cover why we have it, what we use it for and why this is at the core of other issues in our current environment. We also touch on the ways your can change or reprogram that response. Key points are training to automatize your actions in high stress situations, changing the environment to be more conducive to proactive rather than reactive thinking, and noticing the fight or flight response in yourself and others through its presentation in...
FIGHT OR FLIGHT | Is it Still Useful ? Does it Affect My Mental Health?
December 02, 2020 22:06 - 54 minutes - 62.4 MBThis week we discuss the fight or flight response. We cover why we have it, what we use it for and why this is at the core of other issues in our current environment. We also touch on the ways your can change or reprogram that response. Key points are training to automatize your actions in high stress situations, changing the environment to be more conducive to proactive rather than reactive thinking, and noticing the fight or flight response in yourself and others through its presentation in...
Conversations are Music
November 25, 2020 18:07 - 39 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week we talk about conversations and music. Specifically we explore why it is important to pay attention to people to the same extent and intent as you do music. This means you understand every aspect of what is being presented, including word choice and body language. And within the analogy, that the same way you pay attention to the instruments, melody and words of a song. We talk about where and how this applies, and which aspects are the most applicable. See acast.com/privacy for ...
FRIENDS | Are Conversations Like Music?
November 25, 2020 18:07 - 39 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week we talk about conversations and music. Specifically we explore why it is important to pay attention to people to the same extent and intent as you do music. This means you understand every aspect of what is being presented, including word choice and body language. And within the analogy, that the same way you pay attention to the instruments, melody and words of a song. We talk about where and how this applies, and which aspects are the most applicable. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Sociopathy, Enlightenment and Autism
November 18, 2020 16:48 - 55 minutes - 63.3 MBThis week we talk about the different traits of sociopathy, enlightenment and autism. We discuss the similarities and differences between these three ideas. Throughout the conversation we touch on free will, emotional maturity, the all or nothing nature that we think about acting, and how attributes can have positive or negative outcomes depending on how they are applied. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
AUTISM | Am I a Sociopath or Am I Just Autistic?
November 18, 2020 16:48 - 55 minutes - 63.3 MBThis week we talk about the different traits of sociopathy, enlightenment and autism. We discuss the similarities and differences between these three ideas. Throughout the conversation we touch on free will, emotional maturity, the all or nothing nature that we think about acting, and how attributes can have positive or negative outcomes depending on how they are applied. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PRINCIPLES | Do I Think in Principles?
November 11, 2020 15:57 - 44 minutes - 80.8 MBThis week we discuss the importance and benefits of thinking in principles. We talk about the difference between thinking in rules versus principles, why we are taught to use rules in shaping our worldview and how it can affect our wellbeing. An important point is the need to identify and challenge one's principles in order to cultivate an integrated and rational mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thinking in Principles
November 11, 2020 15:57 - 44 minutes - 80.8 MBThis week we discuss the importance and benefits of thinking in principles. We talk about the difference between thinking in rules versus principles, why we are taught to use rules in shaping our worldview and how it can affect our wellbeing. An important point is the need to identify and challenge one's principles in order to cultivate an integrated and rational mind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
ADDICTION | How Can You Overcome?
November 04, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 72.7 MBThis week we talk about addiction: our personal experiences, how we define it and how we find ourselves in an addiction. This includes addiction as an escape or as time filler. We also talk about personal ways to overcome addiction and the application of willpower in the process. Key points we don't think get enough attention are emphasizing your positive purpose and to forgive yourself during the process if you stumble. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
ADDICTION | How Can I Overcome It?
November 04, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 72.7 MBThis week we talk about addiction: our personal experiences, how we define it and how we find ourselves in an addiction. This includes addiction as an escape or as time filler. We also talk about personal ways to overcome addiction and the application of willpower in the process. Key points we don't think get enough attention are emphasizing your positive purpose and to forgive yourself during the process if you stumble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TRAPPED IN CONVERSATIONS | Why Does It Happen?
October 28, 2020 17:23 - 41 minutes - 47.9 MBThis week we talk about getting trapped in conversations, and our hypotheses on how it happens. We also discuss over exhaustion of conversation and the fear of not being understood. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
TRAPPED IN CONVERSATIONS | Why Does It Keep Happening?
October 28, 2020 17:23 - 41 minutes - 47.9 MBThis week we talk about getting trapped in conversations, and our hypotheses on how it happens. We also discuss over exhaustion of conversation and the fear of not being understood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
IMPOSTER SYNDROME | How Comfortable Am I With Myself?
October 21, 2020 17:15 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThis #Episode of #HighlyFunctioning focuses on identity issues surrounding the psychological phenomenon called imposter syndrome. David and Winston discuss instances and experiences in life that might parallel imposter syndrome, and further define what it is through various examples and circumstances. Also outlined are potentially related social anxieties, and insights from David and Winston that might help you overcome these insecurities. Remember, if you like bonus content, Q&A and Direc...
IMPOSTER SYNDROME | How Comfortable Are You with You?
October 21, 2020 17:15 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThis #Episode of #HighlyFunctioning focuses on identity issues surrounding the psychological phenomenon called imposter syndrome. David and Winston discuss instances and experiences in life that might parallel imposter syndrome, and further define what it is through various examples and circumstances. Also outlined are potentially related social anxieties, and insights from David and Winston that might help you overcome these insecurities. Remember, if you like bonus content, Q&A and Direc...
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS | How Does it Affect Who I Am?
October 14, 2020 17:15 - 46 minutes - 53.3 MBHow comfortable are you moderating your speech and thoughts? How sensitive should we be to other peoples sensitivities? This #Episode of #TheSafeSpace focuses on #PoliticalCorrectness, how it effects your mind and body, how environments create issues with anxiety and confidence , and the need for questioning discussion and criticism to become knowledgable. Some key concepts discussed are: assumptions of good intentions, destruction of self esteem, and the loss of a sense of community. Rem...
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS | How Does it Affect Who You Are?
October 14, 2020 17:15 - 46 minutes - 53.3 MBHow comfortable are you moderating your speech and thoughts? How sensitive should we be to other peoples sensitivities? This #Episode of #TheSafeSpace focuses on #PoliticalCorrectness, how it effects your mind and body, how environments create issues with anxiety and confidence , and the need for questioning discussion and criticism to become knowledgable. Some key concepts discussed are: assumptions of good intentions, destruction of self esteem, and the loss of a sense of community. Rem...
Have you Heard of Happiness through Omission?
October 07, 2020 19:11 - 38 minutes - 44.6 MBIn this #Episode of #HighlyFunctioning, we expand our understanding of happiness discussing how we define values to achieve a happy life, pursuing happiness through omission, micro motivations to identify tasks, accomplishing tasks with procedures that are satisfying, and reverse engineering the path to retirement. A wide range of similarly related discussions involving happiness, we try to identify the most correct frameworks to implement into our lifestyles and live with accordingly. Wh...
HAPPINESS | Happiness Through Omission?
October 07, 2020 19:11 - 38 minutes - 44.6 MBIn this #Episode of #HighlyFunctioning, we expand our understanding of happiness discussing how we define values to achieve a happy life, pursuing happiness through omission, micro motivations to identify tasks, accomplishing tasks with procedures that are satisfying, and reverse engineering the path to retirement. A wide range of similarly related discussions involving happiness, we try to identify the most correct frameworks to implement into our lifestyles and live with accordingly. Wh...
DEPRESSION | How Do I Manage and Overcome It?
September 30, 2020 17:25 - 30 minutes - 35.4 MBToday's incredibly insightful and helpful episode focuses on #Depression, & the tools we can use to mitigate the impact it can have on our lives in the short AND long term. Anyone who has experienced depression on a small or large scale, internally or through proximity from others, should find some form of value from this video. Sometimes step one is simply talking about the issues that affect you, and not compartmentalizing. That being said, as depression is something that can waltz it's...
Depression & The Difficulties Managing it
September 30, 2020 17:25 - 30 minutes - 35.4 MBToday's incredibly insightful and helpful episode focuses on #Depression, & the tools we can use to mitigate the impact it can have on our lives in the short AND long term. Anyone who has experienced depression on a small or large scale, internally or through proximity from others, should find some form of value from this video. Sometimes step one is simply talking about the issues that affect you, and not compartmentalizing. That being said, as depression is something that can waltz it's...
ANXIETY | Do We Really Understand Anxiety?
September 24, 2020 00:40 - 35 minutes - 40.4 MBIn today's #Episode of Highly Functioning, Winston & David exchange insights, identify underlying characteristics of #anxiety and other mental conditions. If you find value in these videos, consider becoming a Patreon today to support future Episodes, where you can select the tier of engagement that suits you best, here: https://www.patreon.com/highlyfunctioning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are Autism and Anxiety Fundamentally the Same?
September 24, 2020 00:40 - 35 minutes - 40.4 MBIn today's #Episode of Highly Functioning, Winston & David exchange insights, identify underlying characteristics of #anxiety and other mental conditions. If you find value in these videos, consider becoming a Patreon today to support future Episodes, where you can select the tier of engagement that suits you best, here: https://www.patreon.com/highlyfunctioning See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
GOOD HABITS | Napping and How Can I Form Good Habits?
September 16, 2020 15:13 - 34 minutes - 39.4 MBThis week, we cover the importance of managing your mental load with tools such as meditation and naps. We often find ourselves being robbed of our attention by hundreds of things going on around us. Processing our thoughts, findings and experiences. These tools are supremely beneficial to integrate these into your mind, calm it down and energize it as you move onto other things. David also talks about his realizations since the implementation of these tools and the benefits he gets from his...
How to Build Good Habits - And Why You Should Nap
September 16, 2020 15:13 - 34 minutes - 39.4 MBThis week, we cover the importance of managing your mental load with tools such as meditation and naps. We often find ourselves being robbed of our attention by hundreds of things going on around us. Processing our thoughts, findings and experiences. These tools are supremely beneficial to integrate these into your mind, calm it down and energize it as you move onto other things. David also talks about his realizations since the implementation of these tools and the benefits he gets from his...
AUTISM | What Was Elementary School Like?
September 09, 2020 17:14 - 34 minutes - 47 MBOn this episode of Highly Functioning, we talk about our experience in elementary school. We believe this years of your life are instrumental in the way you shape your worldview as you grow up and become an adult. We touch on our experience with the education system, social relationships with other children, and defense mechanisms we used to cope with our environment. A key point we touched on was the importance of knowing that although you might not fit in the way other people do, it doesn’...
What Was Elementary School Like?
September 09, 2020 17:14 - 34 minutes - 47 MBOn this episode of Highly Functioning, we talk about our experience in elementary school. We believe this years of your life are instrumental in the way you shape your worldview as you grow up and become an adult. We touch on our experience with the education system, social relationships with other children, and defense mechanisms we used to cope with our environment. A key point we touched on was the importance of knowing that although you might not fit in the way other people do, it doesn’...
EMOTIONS | Using Emotions to Be More Rational
September 02, 2020 17:00 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MBOn this episode, we cover the importance and implementation of emotions. We talk about how people can refrain from including emotions in their decision making, the validity of logical and emotional arguments, and taking control of our lives by shaping our view of the world. An important insight we spoke about is giving ourselves the ability to fully feel our emotions, and managing them instead of repressing them and letting them overwhelm you. Be sure to subscribe and like us on Facebook at...
How To Implement Emotions
September 02, 2020 17:00 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MBOn this episode, we cover the importance and implementation of emotions. We talk about how people can refrain from including emotions in their decision making, the validity of logical and emotional arguments, and taking control of our lives by shaping our view of the world. An important insight we spoke about is giving ourselves the ability to fully feel our emotions, and managing them instead of repressing them and letting them overwhelm you. Be sure to subscribe and like us on Facebook at...
LOVE | Understanding Love
August 26, 2020 17:00 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBOn this week’s episode of Highly Functioning, we talk about the concept of love. We talk about how we experience love differently, and how it manifests itself differently in our relationships, and the difficulties we’ve had with our partners and friends. Particularly, we also touch on the difference between feeling love and being able to show affection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Understanding Love
August 26, 2020 17:00 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBOn this week’s episode of Highly Functioning, we talk about the concept of love. We talk about how we experience love differently, and how it manifests itself differently in our relationships, and the difficulties we’ve had with our partners and friends. Particularly, we also touch on the difference between feeling love and being able to show affection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
AUTISM | Am I on the Spectrum?
August 19, 2020 17:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBIn this episode, we talk about Winston's personal journey on how he's come to discover he might have Asperger's and the personal experiences that he's had throughout his life and how they started to click once he found out that might be the case. We also talk about how we develop methods to cope, pros and cons of having Asperger's including how someone acts in social situations and concepts such as masking. To support the show, get bonus content and submit topics head over to http://highly...
Winston Devendrarajah: Do I Have Asperger's?
August 19, 2020 17:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBIn this episode, we talk about Winston's personal journey on how he's come to discover he might have Asperger's and the personal experiences that he's had throughout his life and how they started to click once he found out that might be the case. We also talk about how we develop methods to cope, pros and cons of having Asperger's including how someone acts in social situations and concepts such as masking. To support the show, get bonus content and submit topics head over to http://highly...
AUTISM | Do I Have Asperger's?
August 12, 2020 17:00 - 40 minutes - 55.2 MBToday we talk about David's mental health journey, how he's come to realize he might have Asperger's, and talked a lot about his personal experiences, struggles and hurdles he's had to jump through to get to that result. We have a great conversation about what symptom's he's experienced, the quantity and degree of those experiences and the effects that labels of mental health have on someone's behaviour, and making sure that label is not an excuse for how someone acts. To support the show, ...
David Birnbaum: Do I Have Asperger's?
August 12, 2020 17:00 - 40 minutes - 55.2 MBToday we talk about David's mental health journey, how he's come to realize he might have Asperger's, and talked a lot about his personal experiences, struggles and hurdles he's had to jump through to get to that result. We have a great conversation about what symptom's he's experienced, the quantity and degree of those experiences and the effects that labels of mental health have on someone's behaviour, and making sure that label is not an excuse for how someone acts. To support the show, ...
Highly Functioning - What Are We Doing Here?
August 05, 2020 17:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBOn the first episode of Highly Functioning, David Birnbaum and Winston Devendrarajah touch on why they started this project, why they think it is important to explore the mind as the next frontier, and why they wanted to start creating a community around the exploration of the mind and the brain. Apologies for the audio issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
HIGHLY FUNCTIONING | What Are We Doing Here?
August 05, 2020 17:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBOn the first episode of Highly Functioning, David Birnbaum and Winston Devendrarajah touch on why they started this project, why they think it is important to explore the mind as the next frontier, and why they wanted to start creating a community around the exploration of the mind and the brain. Apologies for the audio issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Highly Functioning - Coming Soon
July 21, 2020 13:06 - 44 seconds - 697 KBStay tuned for the first episode of Highly Functioning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.