The Jeffrey van Leeuwen Podcast aims to engage in thoughtful conversations, exploring diverse topics and speaking with people who have unique stories to tell and valuable knowledge to share across various fields.
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
Huguette Bourgeois is a poet and writer from the small Canadian town of Rogersville, New Brunswick, where she grew up during the early 1950s. Known for her deeply reflective and profoundly personal style, she has published multiple works, including Alysse: An Acadian Refugee, a collection of short stories capturing the memories of her childhood and teenage years. Her recent work, Raw Sweets, is a collection of poems exploring life’s harshness, beauty, and unfiltered truths.
In this deeply personal conversation, Huguette shares the profound impact poetry and language have had on her life—guiding her through moments of intense personal tragedy, including her son’s diagnosis with schizophrenia, and leading her toward self-discovery and authenticity. She reflects openly on her complex relationship with faith, spirituality, and the existential questions that arise from hardship, ultimately suggesting there may be dignity in living—and dying—with uncertainty. Throughout the episode, Huguette reveals how embracing life’s darkness, doubt, and solitude can become a source of strength, creativity, and profound human insight.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Raw Sweets
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Alysse: An Acadian Refugee
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Le bleu de Mon Ile (French)
Buy Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment
Buy Dostoyevsky' The Brothers Karamazov
By using these links, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 What is Poetry?
09:10 Stories of Writing Poetry
19:37 Poetry as a Path to Spirituality & Meaning
23:54 Finding Your Voice
35:27 The Dark Side of Agreeableness
43:50 The Importance of Asking Questions
48:56 Authenticity & Identity
56:21 Echoes of Rejection & Love in Childhood
01:03:54 Love, Loss, and Happiness
01:08:32 Youngest Son’s Schizophrenia Diagnosis
01:17:03 Believing in God
01:33:52 The Danger of Blind Faith
01:44:06 Does Poetry Find the Poet, or Vice Versa?
01:48:06 The Endless Possibilities of Words
01:55:22 Can Words Fully Capture The Human Experience?
02:02:34 Fiction, Dragons, and The Human Experience
02:09:52 Closing Thoughts
02:15:17 Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
How do you respond when life gets tough? Clifford Edwards chose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Clifford shares powerful stories from his own journey, revealing how martial arts can teach confidence, humility, and focus. Discover how Jiu-Jitsu prepares you for challenges on and off the mats, and why it’s never too late to start.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
CLIFFORD EDWARDS LINKS:
The ABC's of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Online Course)
OUTLINE:
02:20 Growing Up in Aruba & Early Chess Experiences
07:52 Family Situation
10:58 Discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
16:46 Mindfulness & Mental Clarity Through Jiu-Jitsu
21:21 Safety & Focus of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
26:21 Definition: Structures & Frames
28:55 Advice For People Interested In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
37:42 Training Intensity
47:01 Progression & Skill Building
55:17 The Blue Belt Clichés
01:00:37 The Importance of Structured Learning
01:06:39 Definition: Specific Sparring
01:13:08 Injuries
01:21:43 Belt Progression & Experiences at Each Level
01:28:16 Benefits Beyond Jiu-Jitsu
01:35:23 Distance Management
01:37:21 Clifford’s Future Plans
01:38:44 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
In this episode, we dive into the fundamentals of ethics and morality, exploring how ancient philosophies like Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Kant’s deontology, and utilitarianism shape our modern decisions.
We talk about ethical dilemmas, confront tough questions about intentions and consequences, and offer practical insights on developing personal ethics.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
JOSEPH B. BARBOSA LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
02:21 Exploring Ethics and Morality
05:42 Aristotle, Beauty, and the Pyramid of Ethics
11:06 Ethics as an Upward Aim
16:35 Aristotle & Virtue Ethics
20:48 Vices, Virtues, and the Concept of Sin
25:58 Deontology: Rules and Human Dignity
29:54 Utilitarianism & the Trolley Problem
35:57 Can You Justify Sacrificing One for Many?
40:58 The Paralysis of Decision-Making
48:18 Good Intentions and Ethical Decisions
56:52 Pursuing Truth and Shared Responsibility
01:08:49 Meaning, Purpose, and Telos
01:14:39 How to Develop Personal Ethics
01:19:43 How to Know if You Truly Believe Your Ethics
01:27:05 Law vs. Morality: What if the Law is Wrong?
01:34:24 Can You Change Your Intention?
01:39:00 Is Every Action Ultimately Self-Serving?
01:49:38 Negotiation as Ethical Collaboration
02:01:22 Is it Ever Ethical to Lie?
02:09:28 Bringing Ethics into Daily Life
02:15:40 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this very special episode, I’m excited to introduce something brand new and deeply personal to the podcast—our very own original music! Composed by the incredibly talented Sofia Lasa, this beautifully crafted sound marks a significant milestone for the show.
Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear the music as we dive into Sofia’s creative process, the inspiration behind the composition, and what this music means for the podcast moving forward.
Please enjoy the music, and join me in discovering the story behind the sound that will become synonymous with the podcast.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
SOFIA LASA LINKS:
Sofia Lasa's Music on Apple Music
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
In this episode, we’ll discuss the upcoming changes to the podcast and what you can expect in the near future. I’m excited to share plans to get new interesting guest on, along with updates to our production process and overall quality.
Thank you for listening.
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
PODCAST LINKS:
Podcast Website: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4lLpEXA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42kcOYy
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
RSS: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/feed.xml
SOCIAL LINKS:
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
In this episode of Reflections, Jeffrey van Leeuwen takes you on a personal journey through 30 years of video gaming. He shares nostalgic memories—from tinkering with early Windows 3.1 computers and playing games off floppy disks, to the more sophisticated adventures of MS-DOS classics, console classics, and finally the immersive and thought-provoking world of Silent Hill.
Rather than making a case for or against video games, Jeffrey offers an honest look at how gaming has shaped his life, and opened doors to unexpected opportunities (and pitfalls).
Thank you for listening.
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
PODCAST LINKS:
Podcast Website: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4lLpEXA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42kcOYy
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
RSS: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/feed.xml
SOCIAL LINKS:
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
In this episode, Jeffrey and psychoanalyst Adam Ayala delve into the intricate dynamics of empathy and emotional presence, drawing insights from John Madonna’s work and tactical empathy techniques. They explore the fine lines between sympathy, empathy, and pity, while unpacking complex concepts like transference and soul murder.
The conversation offers practical and thought-provoking guidance on navigating the promise and peril of empathy in both personal and professional contexts.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy Never Split The Difference: https://amzn.to/4hFEgom
Buy Emotional Presence in Psychoanalysis: https://amzn.to/3EBE5we
By using these links, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
02:40 Emotional Presence & Empathy
13:59 Sympathy vs. Empathy
31:17 Misguided Empathy & Soul Murder
45:16 Balancing Assumptions & Inquiry
01:18:47 Philosophy in Psychoanalytic Training
01:28:31 Genuine Empathy vs. Manipulation
01:46:24 Suffering Well
01:50:03 Modern Perspectives on Freud & Jung
02:03:18 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
In this episode, Wyatt Chabeniuk and I explore the profound connections between alchemy, Jungian psychology, and personal transformation, discussing how the process of individuation mirrors the alchemical journey from base metals to gold. We dive into themes of sin, virtue, transmutation, and balancing the masculine and feminine within ourselves to achieve wholeness and purpose. Through rich metaphors, ancient wisdom, and modern insights, we uncover how understanding the unconscious can guide us toward becoming the highest versions of ourselves.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
Not available
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
In this episode of Reflections, we delve into the skill of empathy, the ability to share and understand the feelings of another person. Jeffrey breaks down powerful communication techniques to help you connect more deeply and communicate more effectively.
Thank you for listening.
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
EPISODE LINKS:
Never Split The Difference: https://amzn.to/4hFEgom
By using this link, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
PODCAST LINKS:
Podcast Website: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4lLpEXA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42kcOYy
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
RSS: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/feed.xml
SOCIAL LINKS:
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Nic is a young and ambitious entrepreneur who shares his plans to break into the movie industry and build a top-tier team. In our conversation, he discusses his journey from marketing to filmmaking.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Intro
02:10 Public Speaking & Storytelling
15:28 Innovation Stagnating
34:44 Growing a Movie Business
48:07 Connection between Great People & Business
57:31 Inspiration for Starting Podcast
01:04:38 The Pursuit of Passion
01:17:03 Finding Balance in Relationships
01:31:40 What Do You Value Most
01:35:28 Conspiracy Theories
01:45:44 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.