Dr Espen Podcast

“Anxiety can be a habit, and if it can be learned as a habit, we can unlearn it.” -Dr. Jud Brewer
In this episode, we dive deep into the intricate relationship between anxiety, addiction, and the neuroscience of self-mastery with renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist, Dr. Jud Brewer. Join us as we explore how anxiety can become a learned habitual loop and the powerful role of curiosity in breaking this cycle. Dr. Brewer shares insights from his extensive research, revealing how our brains respond to anxiety and addiction, and how we can harness mindfulness and observation to transform our experiences.
About our guest:
Dr. Judson Brewer is a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times best-selling author recognized as one of the world's leading experts on habit change and the science of self-mastery. He is Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University's Mindfulness Center, where his lab uses fMRI and EEG to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying mindfulness, addiction, and anxiety—research that has fundamentally reshaped how scientists and clinicians understand behavior change.
Dr. Jud has spent over two decades developing and testing evidence-based programs for smoking cessation, emotional eating, and anxiety—translating rigorous science into tools that are both clinically effective and accessible to general audiences. He has trained U.S. Olympic athletes, coaches, and foreign government ministers, and his work has been featured on 60 Minutes, The New York Times, Time, and beyond. His TED talk on habit change has accumulated over 20 million views.
He is the author of three books—The Craving Mind, Unwinding Anxiety, and The Hunger Habit—and writes the Substack newsletter Inside the Curious Mind. He co-founded MindSciences and MindShift Recovery, a nonprofit integrating digital therapeutics with peer support for addiction treatment. His latest initiative, Going Beyond Anxiety (goingbeyondanxiety.com), is a next-generation program that combines cutting-edge neuroscience with experiential learning to transform how people relate to anxiety at its root.
📲Find out more about Dr. Jud
Website: https://www.drjud.com/
https://www.goingbeyondanxiety.com/
Substack: https://judbrewer.substack.com/
Instagram: @dr.jud https://www.instagram.com/dr.jud/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjud/
📲Find out more about Dr Espen
Website: https://drespen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drespenwoldjensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_espen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_espen
💡Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:04:00 - Understanding Anxiety as a Habit
00:06:49 - Escape Mechanisms and Emotional Eating
00:08:33 - The Role of Emotions in Behavior
00:12:07 - Observer Effect in Mindfulness
00:17:49 - Anxiety and Addiction: Shared Pathways
00:20:20 - Neuroscience Meets Ancient Wisdom
00:23:39 - Finding Pleasure Plateaus
00:30:36 - Curiosity as a Superpower
00:37:13 - Collective Anxiety in Uncertain Times
00:40:28 - The Impact of Misinformation
00:42:28 - Training for Uncertainty
00:46:48 - Faith and Spirituality in Healing
00:57:41 - Dr. Jud’s Message To The World

“It's not the pills and the potions that are responsible for the outcome. It's the body's own natural ability to heal itself.” -Dr. Alan
In this episode, Dr Espen sits down with Dr. Alan Goldhamer, founder and director of the True North Health Center, to explore the transformative power of medically supervised water fasting. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Goldhamer shares insights into how fasting can help reverse chronic diseases, including hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and even certain types of cancer.
About our guest:
Dr. Goldhamer has been the director of the TrueNorth Health Center for over 40 years.  TrueNorth is the largest facility in the work specializing in medically supervised water fasting.  He is the co-author of Can Fasting Save Your Life and The Pleasure Trap.
📲Find out more about Dr. Alan
Website: www.truenorthhealth.com
Dr. Goldhamer's book: Can Fasting Save Your Life?
https://www.healthpromoting.com/store/book/can-fasting-save-your-life
📲Find out more about Dr Espen
Website: https://drespen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drespenwoldjensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_espen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_espen
💡Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:02:39 - The Science of Fasting
00:05:18 - Physical Benefits of Water Fasting
00:10:30 - Common Ground of Chronic Diseases
00:15:50 - Whole Plant Foods and Health
00:18:20 - Processed Foods and Overeating
00:23:36 - Breaking the Pleasure Trap
00:25:04 - Fasting Protocol Overview
00:30:52 - Autophagy and Fasting
00:33:36 - Removing Toxins for Health
00:37:40 - Challenges of Food Addiction
00:40:30 - Fasting for Women
00:50:01 - Fasting and its Influence on Spiritual Awakening
00:56:17 - Fasting Can Treat Sick People
01:05:05 - Message To The World

“Changing yourself is wisdom. Changing others is ignorance."
-Tulku Lobsang
Dr Espen sits down with Tulku Lobsang for a profound conversation on the ancient Tibetan practice of Tummo, the nature of death and reincarnation, and what it truly means to live without regret. Tulku shares his journey from being recognized as a reincarnated Lama at age 13 to becoming a master of inner fire practices, and offers practical tools anyone can use, no monastery required, to access more bliss, presence, and peace in daily life.
About our guest:
Venerable Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche is a high Buddhist master who was born in 1976 in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. At the age of 6, Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche entered the local Buddhist monastic school. At 11, he then moved to the Nangzi Monastery, the largest Bon monastery in Tibet. At that time, the monks of the Sowa monastery were looking for the reincarnation of their lama. At the age of 13, Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche was recognized as the 8th reincarnation of the Nyentse Tulku. In 1993, at the age of 17, Rinpoche left Tibet for South India to deepen and complete his studies in the Gaden Shartse Monastery. After five years in Gaden Monastery, Tulku-la moved to Dharamsala to pass the Tibetan cultural heritage on to both Tibetans and Westerners. Since the year 2000, Rinpoche has been traveling through Europe, America and Asia sharing his deep knowledge in order to reduce suffering in the world. Tulku-la bases his teachings on the ancient knowledge of Tantrayana, which is the foundation of both Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Medicine. Rinpoche bridges worlds and translates the ancient wisdom of his venerable transmission lineage into practical advice for the present day. Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche’s organization “Nangten Menlang International” is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The team there offers Online-Events, Teacher Certification Programs as well as In-Person-Events and takes care of Rinpoche’s Nying Drod Warm Heart Charity Project.
📲Find out more about Tulku
Website: https://tulkulobsang.org/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1MgHmX3999/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tulkulobsang?igsh=cW5qdjVkMmF1eGEy
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@tulkulobsang?si=3Eq4XPnw_EkwWImr
📲Find out more about Dr Espen
Website: https://drespen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drespenwoldjensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_espen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_espen
💡Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:03:54 - Tulku's Journey and Introduction to Tummo
00:05:10 - Exploring Tummo: The Inner Fire
00:07:15 - The Benefits of Tummo Practice
00:12:16 - Achieving the Bliss Body in Daily Life
00:16:00 - The Power of Liking People
00:18:38 - Compassion for Those Who Do Wrong
00:22:04 - The Nature of Death and Reincarnation
00:36:42 - Death as a Painkiller and Nature's Compassion
00:40:03 - Death as a Door to Enlightenment
00:42:57 - The Healing Power of Laughter
00:46:44 - Final Message to the World

"I'll never let fear stop me. That doesn't mean I don't experience fear. But I don't let fear stop me from doing something."
— Jason Shurka
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr Espen sits down with Jason Shurka to explore the hidden forces shaping our world, the rediscovery of ancient wisdom, and the practical tools we can use today to reclaim our health, freedom, and consciousness.
About our guest:
Jason Shurka is an author, entrepreneur, executive producer, global visionary, and truth-seeker dedicated to awakening human potential and advancing consciousness through media, education, and transformative wellness technologies.​ Jason’s life took a dramatic turn following a profound “dark night of the soul,” marked by 23 shoulder dislocations, three surgeries, the near loss of his leg, and the possibility of requiring a mechanical shoulder. Rather than breaking him, this period catalyzed a deep inner awakening. Jason devoted himself to mastering the Fundamental Laws of Creation and aligning his life with a higher mission: to help humanity heal, awaken, and remember its innate power. Jason is widely known for his coaching programs, workshops, and live events, which guide individuals toward higher awareness, sovereignty, and alignment with their greatest potential.
📲Find out more about Jason
Website: https://www.jasonshurka.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JasonShurka26
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Therealjasonshurka
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jasonshurka26
📲Find out more about Dr Espen
Website: https://drespen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drespenwoldjensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_espen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_espen
💡Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:05:14 - History is a lie — and the pyramids prove it
00:09:55 - The Real Secret Inside The Pyramids
00:16:22 - Democrats, Republicans, Fox News, Coca-Cola
00:21:00 - What YouTube Can Teach You About God
00:28:23 - The Poison Nobody Is Talking About
00:32:44 - Why Spirituality Without Clean Food Doesn't Work
00:37:58 - The Secret Organization Fighting For Us
00:46:51 - How Our DNA Was Actually Modified
00:53:12 - What Heaven On Earth Really Looks Like
01:03:36 - The Technology That Supercharges Your Cells
01:09:13 - The Only Book You Need To Read
01:12:05 - Jason’s Message To The World

"The real revolution is an inner revolution. That inner revolution will be extrapolated outwards and will look like a collective awakening. But actually, it's all going on inside."
— DarPan
In today’s episode, Dr Espen is joined by DarPan for a powerful conversation exploring consciousness, awakening, and the transformative power of sound. As a spiritual teacher, mystic, musician, and shamanic guide, DarPan shares profound insights into the nature of human existence, self-awareness, and the radical self-responsibility that comes with awakening.
About our guest:
DarPan weaves a lifetime of research into consciousness and the healing power of sound to create a unique transmission which enlivens and transforms. He was born in the Netherlands and raised in South Australia where he graduated with first class honours in Psychology at Flinders University. He studied Shaolin Martial Arts and Taoist Spiritual Tai Chi with Dr. Tennyson Yiu and spent several years in India studying the art of Tantra and Meditation at Osho Commune International. He is renowned as a teacher, musician and healer and is a pioneer of the ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in the West. He has produced the following music titles: LoveLight, Fly Away, Body of Light, Viva Medicina, Temple of Glowing Sound, A New Vision, Peace Awakening and Metamorphosis.
📲Find out more about DarPan
Website: https://www.darpan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DAR_PAN369/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWiqAvJ5oC-nDbaNaIRu5Sw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nG2U57GA2wEds6bfqQMQd?si=KA65--obRou-mmtbaAhU4A
📲Find out more about Dr Espen
Website: https://drespen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drespenwoldjensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_espen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_espen
💡Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 - Episode Trailer
00:04:01 - The Role of Ayahuasca
00:14:02 - The Great Awakening
00:22:45 - Facing the Shadow
00:30:30 - The Rite of Passage
00:40:58 - Inner Revolution
00:45:44 - The Power of Sound and Light
01:12:03 - Metamorphosis