About this Episode

This week, Shamash and Calvin explore the eighth chapter of the Hero's Journey into mindfulness and acceptance: the Ordeal. Along with acceptance, what can commitment allow us to achieve, and how can we spot when commitment turns to stubbornness?

• Social entrepreneur Kush Kanodia opens the episode with a story of commitment that led to a life-changing opportunity

• Therapist Mari Williams shares her approach to helping people deal with those moments in life where we need the reassurance that we're going to be OK

• Dr Mehwish Sharif discusses strength in vulnerability, reducing the clutter in clients' minds, and encouraging flexibility

• ACT originator Dr Steven Hayes plays out a conversation about self-inflicted pain, and is candid about the difficulties he's faced with his own physical pain and the unhealthy thoughts that arose as a result.

Next week, we seize our reward and begin the journey back home.

Mindful Conversations is hosted by mindfulness and ACT trainer Shamash Alidina and mindful storyteller Calvin Niles.