682. Jill Bolte Taylor

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.

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.



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