I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Connect with me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bradhook.
In This Episode
Welcome to a deep, clarifying conversation with Dr. John Demartini—human behavior expert, researcher, prolific author, and global educator whose work spans corporate performance, financial empowerment, leadership, relationships, and social transformation (https://drdemartini.com). We explore how to govern the mind, transform polarized emotion into executive function, and turn so-called “trauma” into growth. You’ll hear unforgettable stories—from martial arts lessons in poise to real-world reframes that dissolve shame, guilt, and fear into grounded action and gratitude. 🌊🧠
Big Ideas
🧠 The ungoverned mind: amygdala reactivity vs. executive function—why System 1 “feels” before thinking and System 2 “reasons” before reacting.
🥋 “Invitation to dance”: the martial arts metaphor for foresight—training the prefrontal cortex to anticipate, plan, and respond without panic.
⚖️ Sequential vs. simultaneous contrast: see both sides at once to act with poise rather than react with impulse.
🔥 “Passion” means “to suffer”: why fantasy-driven desire (pursue-only or avoid-only) creates misery—and how an inspired mission resolves it.
🎯 Mastery ≠ talent: disciplined practice over decades (think concert pianists and elite athletes) builds automatic executive control.
🧭 Values alignment: stop living in the shadows of outer authorities; define your hierarchy of values and build a life around what truly matters to you.
🪞 Moral hypocrisies: the myth of the one-sided person; perfection is the whole—both sides, integrated and loved.
❤️ Unconditionality in real life: you want to be loved when you’re kind and when you’re difficult; others want the same.
🌀 Peace/war dynamics: feedback systems balance praise/criticism, calm/conflict—personally, relationally, and societally.
🩹 “There is no trauma, only perception”: rigorous reframing turns post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth (with vivid case studies).
🧩 Perception → decision → action: change the story, change the trajectory; seek the information you’re missing.
🛰️ Staying grounded in an AI-accelerated world: whenever you perceive one side, find the opposite—and you’ll return to center.
Connect with Dr. John Demartini
Website: https://drdemartini.com
Free Values Determination: https://drdemartini.com/values/
The Breakthrough Experience: https://drdemartini.com/breakthrough-experience
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjohndemartini/