There are about 270 free-to-view videos featuring Dr Iain McGilchrist and his work that can be found on the Internet.
Read about Iain McGilchrist and his hypothesis of brain hemisphere differences
During the early part of 2024, I identified these videos and embedded them in a set of four website pages with the videos arranged in alphabetical order by title, forming a resource I named Iain McGilchrist Videos Complete. Later, I created an additional page dedicated to new video releases.
The result was satisfying but not very useful. The three alpha-order pages didn’t really help people unless they were seeking a particular video and knew its title – in which case they would go straight to YouTube.
Further, having so many videos embedded in each page meant that they loaded very slowly and consumed a lot of computing power. My operating system crashed on a daily basis and things must have been very frustrating for website visitors.
So I’ve made some changes.
- The three alpha-order pages have been removed.
- The fourth page, displaying a set of 29 videos in which Iain McGilchrist discusses his book The Matter of Things with Àlex Gómez-Marín, has been retained with the title Understanding The Matter with Things — Dialogues.
- Selected videos in which Iain McGilchrist talks about The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things can now be viewed on the page named Resources for people exploring Iain McGilchrist’s work.
- Free-to-view videos released during the past six months are embedded in the page you are currently viewing.
Jump ahead to the month-by-month shortcuts
If you are seeking a specific video and know its title, you will probably find it in one or both of these locations:
Channel McGilchrist — free-to-view videos
Iain McGilchrist’s YouTube channel
Note that the two sources overlap considerably.
Podcast links can be found towards the bottom of this page.
Jack Martin Leith
Newcreate originator
VIDEOS RELEASED DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS
June releases
July releases
August releases
September releases
October releases
November releases
I am updating this facility on a rolling basis, removing June entries when December arrives and so on, month by month.
The descriptive text is drawn from YouTube and other external sources.
JUNE RELEASES
A Divided Brain and an Addicted World: The Missing Link?
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Niall McKeever
Running Time 01:07:51
Topics:
0:00:00 Intro
0:00:38 Decline of civilization’s roots
0:16:20 Left hemisphere’s impact on society
0:24:17 Spirituality and meaning in society
0:36:20 Left hemisphere’s grip: addiction and control
0:44:35 Values, beauty, and mental well-being
1:00:54 Finding hope in Iain McGilchrist’s insights
Understanding the Brain, Society, and the Meaning of Life
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with John Anderson
“In this interview, John speaks with Iain McGilchrist about the differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and their impact on our perception of and interaction with the world. Iain explains that the left hemisphere focuses on details and immediate tasks, while the right hemisphere maintains a broad, vigilant awareness of the environment. He discusses how modern society overemphasizes the left hemisphere’s functions, leading to a loss of meaning, beauty, and wisdom. Iain highlights the negative consequences of this imbalance, such as bureaucratic thinking and the decline of individual freedoms. He stresses the importance of rediscovering a sense of the sacred, connecting with nature, and fostering compassionate relationships to restore balance and fulfillment in life. The interview concludes with Iain emphasizing that genuine happiness comes from these connections rather than material acquisitions, offering a profound insight into leading a meaningful life.”
Running time 56:01
JULY RELEASES
Closer to Home – Voices of Hope in a Time of Crisis
A film by Local Futures and Cyrus Sutton.
Produced and directed by Helena Norberg-Hodge and Anja Lyngbaek. Narrated by Nathalie Kelley.
“This 35-minute film is a united call for a new economy, delivered by those who have committed their lives to working for systemic change. We live in a time of multiple crises, from climate chaos, poverty, and war to skyrocketing costs of living. It can seem overwhelming – until we realise that we have the power to change things. ‘Closer to Home’ brings together an extraordinary array of thinkers, writers, and activists from every continent1 to make a simple but revolutionary argument: by reducing the scale of the economy, we can not only stop the rush towards social and ecological breakdown, but restore damaged ecosystems and increase our own personal well-being. It’s a message of hope that the world cannot afford to ignore.”
1. Iain McGilchrist appears at 29:38.
Running time 33:41
Hemispheric Lateralisation, Relationality, Being
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Darius Parvizi-Wayne, Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London.
Active Inference Institute | Active Inference Insights 023
“For this special episode of Active Inference Insights, Darius Parvizi-Wayne is joined by psychiatrist, philosopher and literary scholar, Iain McGilchrist. Dr McGilchrist is best known for his account of the bilateral brain and the impact of hemispheric specialisation on personal, lived experience, as well as the unfolding of cultural epochs. In today’s episode, Darius and Dr McGilchrist discuss the nature of attention, the primacy of relationality, consciousness and its connection to matter, as well as much more. We [Active Inference Institute] apologise for the moments in which the audios overlapped. No rudeness was intended; unfortunately, the WiFi was erratic at times, leading to such audio issues.”
Running time 1:59:20
Mind, Metaphysic and Meaning
Iain McGilchrist, Mark Solms and Hyman Schipper in conversation
“In this instalment, we explore the insights of three brilliant minds. Dr Iain McGilchrist, renowned psychiatrist and author, delves into the impact of hemispheric specialization on perception, culture, and society. Professor Mark Solms, a pioneering neuroscientist and psychoanalyst, uncovers the neural foundations of consciousness, emotion, and the unconscious mind. Professor Hyman Schipper, a distinguished philosopher and metaphysician, brings a unique perspective with his research in metaphysics, oxidative stress, brain aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. Join us as we journey through their profound contributions to understanding the nature of reality and existence.”
Source: Philosophy Babble, The Great Minds Series.
Running time 1:49:22
Music and the Divided Brain, Part 1
Iain McGilchrist, James Francis Brown and Sara Trickey in conversation.
Part of Hertfordshire Music Festival, hosted by University of Hertfordshire.
We examine the dual nature of music as both a manifestation of creation and recreation, considering the composer’s journey from conception to composition, and the performer’s transformative interpretation.
Running time 1:04:13
Music and the Divided Brain, Part 2
Running time 54:16
What is our culture preventing us from seeing?
IaIn McGilchrist in conversation with Kenny Primrose, host of The Examined Life Podcast
The Examined Life websiteRunning time 1:10:42
AUGUST RELEASES
How faith can re-enchant a left-brained world
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall from Seen & Unseen
“Iain’s thesis on the left and right hemispheres of the brain has been highly influential. He believes ‘left hemispheric’ thinking has come to dominate much of modern culture in negative ways. He speaks with Belle and Justin about whether we can we re-enchant our view of the world by re-engaging a ‘right hemispheric’ view of life, love and faith.”
Running time 1:08:32
Metaphysics & the Matter with Things
An Evening with Iain McGilchrist
“Convened by The Center for Process Studies and California Institute of Integral Studies in March 2024, this collaborative three-day conference brought leading process thinkers across various disciplines — including physics, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and theology — into critical dialogue with McGilchrist’s work in a collegial effort to assess, question, extend, and apply it.”
Running time 1:36:34
Perennial Mysteries of Life & Death
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Tim Freke
This is the first in the What is Life? series, hosted by Tim Freke.
Running time 1:27:35
SEPTEMBER RELEASES
Finding Meaning in a World Gone Mad, with Iain McGilchrist
Planet Local Voices interview series | Local Futures
“In this episode, Iain McGilchrist’s research on the differences between the left and right hemispheres provide the backdrop for discussions of the human experience of the sublime, and how important that experience is if we are to reestablish social and ecological balance in the world. He discusses his long-standing appreciation for the local, the place-based and the natural, suggesting that these offer avenues towards right-hemisphere aspects of our experience – aspects which have been neglected ”to our detriment.
Running time 15:53
Brain Hemispheres & Woke
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Mark Walsh, Embodiment Unlimited
“Psychiatrist and author Iain joins me [Mark Walsh] to talk poetry, silos, the two hemispheres of the brain, why we have both, dehumanisation, AI, rules, human medecine, why the body is not a machine, gender, spontaneity, why not to give up, the creativity of science, pseudo-religion, wokeness, postmodernism, the glory of the West, his inner critic, humour, his personal right-brain practices, and what to do about it all.”
The Embodiment Channel — YouTube
Running time 55:31
OCTOBER RELEASES
The Mystery of Consciousness
Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s Keynote at Kinross House (2024)
The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere
Wonderstruck website | Read about Elizabeth Rovere
“Prepare to have your understanding of consciousness transformed. In this captivating keynote, world-renowned philosopher and neuroscientist Dr. Iain McGilchrist delves into the depths of the human mind, exploring how the hemispheres of the brain shape our perception of reality. He challenges conventional thinking about consciousness, matter, and the nature of existence, offering a radical yet insightful perspective that will leave you questioning what you thought you knew.
Delivered at ‘A Symposium on Consciousness’ on August 2, 2024, at the stunning Kinross House Estate in Scotland, this talk was presented by Wonderstruck, The Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, and Five Books.
Discover why Dr. McGilchrist believes consciousness is the foundation of reality, and explore the provocative questions raised by his research: What role do our brain hemispheres play in shaping reality? How does our attention alter the world around us? Is consciousness the ultimate reality?
This keynote is not an academic lecture—it’s a journey into the heart of what it means to be human.”
Running time 1:00:53
NOVEMBER RELEASES
Biology, the brain and the meaning of life
Philip Ball in conversation with Iain McGilchrist
A profound but quiet transformation in biology is changing the way we think about life. Philip Ball — physicist, longtime contributor and former editor at Nature, and the author of over 25 books — explores this paradigm shift in his latest book, How Life Works: A Users Guide to the New Biology. As part of its Meanings of Science Project, Samuel Loncar, editor and project director at Marginalia Review of Books, hosted a conversation with Philip Ball and Iain McGilchrist, psychiatrist, neuroscience researcher, philosopher, and the author of The Matter With Things.
Running time 44:46
Curt’s Experience with Psychosis
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Curt Jaimungal
Theories of Everything podcast
Running time 12:46
The Hidden Potential of the Human Brain
Iain McGilchrist in conversation with Curt Jaimungal
In this episode of Theories of Everything, Curt Jaimungal sits down with Iain McGilchrist to dive deep into the practical implications of his groundbreaking work on brain hemispheres, consciousness, and wisdom. They explore how Eastern and Western philosophies intersect with his insights, shaping our understanding of reality, spirituality, and the human experience.
Running time 2:48:25
Download transcript (pdf)
Why Do We Laugh?
Exploring the Nature of Humor with John Cleese and Dr. Iain McGilchrist.
The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere
Is humor just a form of entertainment, or does it reveal deeper truths about the human experience? In this lively discussion from A Symposium on Consciousness on August 3, 2024, comedy legend John Cleese joins psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Iain McGilchrist to explore The Nature of Humour. Hosted by Wonderstruck’s Elizabeth Rovere, this session dives into the essential role of humor in understanding the mind, human relationships, and even our cultural divides.
Cleese, known for his work with Monty Python and as a writer, actor, and creator of iconic comedy, shares personal anecdotes and reflections on humor’s power to offer perspective in tough times. McGilchrist, renowned for his work on the brain’s hemispheres, adds a neuroscientific and philosophical lens, discussing how humor can foster resilience, empathy, and creativity by engaging the brain’s right hemisphere. Together, they discuss irony, the beauty of playful thinking, and how humor bridges intellectual and emotional experiences.
This conversation touches on how humor operates differently across cultures, the challenges posed by literal thinking, and the modern tendency toward “woke” sensitivity that can misunderstand humor’s intent. With personal stories from Cleese’s childhood and insights on the limits of mechanistic thinking from McGilchrist, this discussion is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-watch for anyone curious about the intersection of comedy, psychology, and philosophy.
Running time 1:00:43
PODCAST COLLECTIONS
Channel McGilchrist
Spotify
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Books
Papers and articles – general
Videos
Transcripts
Events
Channel McGilchrist
A membership platform established by Iain McGilchrist and Mary Attwood, enabling its members to explore, discuss and expand on McGilchrist’s theory of the differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and their impact on our perception of and interaction with the world.
Continue reading
External websites
Channel McGilchrist — free-to-view videos
Iain McGilchrist’s YouTube channel
Left Brain & Right Brain: 20 Brain Hemisphere Differences from “The Master and His Emissary” on Sloww.co website
This website
How Newcreators use mind, body and spirit to create the new and enrich the world
Iain McGilchrist and his hypothesis of brain hemisphere differences
The tonal and the nagual (the tonal corresponds with leftside, and the nagual with rightside)
Two forms of imagination: creative and synthetic
Understanding The Matter with Things: Dialogues | 29-episode video collection in which Iain McGilchrist and Àlex Gómez-Marín discuss The Matter with Things, chapter by chapter
Index to entire site (60+ pages)
Search the site
Not case sensitive. Do not to hit return.