About this episode
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist who is now affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. Her most recent 2021 book is WHOLE BRAIN LIVING: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life. Dr. Taylor is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations about the beauty of our human brain and how we can work with ourself to live a more peaceful life. In 2008 she gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 28.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Taylor was chosen as one of TIME Magazine's “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” web-cast. Website: drjilltaylor.com Dr. Taylor's "My Stroke of Insight" TED talk Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 14, 2023. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:33 - The Evolutionary Goal of Humanity 00:11:07 - The Experience of the Present Moment 00:17:04 - Developing the Whole Brain 00:23:18 - Understanding the Dynamics of Relationships 00:28:43 - Understanding Character Two and Emotional Pain 00:33:33 - Understanding the Little Character Two 00:38:03 - The Richness of Human Emotions 00:42:05 - Autism and Brain Circuitry 00:47:10 - The Potential Risks of Whole Brain Living and Psychedelics 00:52:44 - Exploring the Options for Bipolar Disorder and PTSD 00:59:58 - The Beauty of Humor 01:07:06 - The Interface of Individuality and Universality 01:16:07 - Bringing Balance and Meaning Into Life 01:25:16 - The Differences in Perception and Information Processing 01:32:07 - The Absurdity of Language and Consciousness 01:37:18 - The Value Structure of Character Four 01:44:01 - Changing the Model of Enlightenment 01:48:18 - The Existence of Free Will 01:53:44 - The Subtle Work of Cells and Neuronal Networks 01:59:21 - The 90-Second Rule & Addiction in the Brain 02:04:19 - Exploring Selective Mutism and Addiction 02:11:27 - Dealing with Fear of the Future and Worry 02:17:51 - Farewell and Thank You