This roundtable discuses the third podcast in the Staying Composed series and is titled ‘Cultivating Equanimity Within Everyday Life’. Topics discussed included: how so many small things can build equanimity; how we should cultivate a certain skepticism or epistemological humility in the face of misinformation and disinformation; how we need to transcend particular disputes looking for the larger picture; how we need to strike a balance in attending to, and turning away from, media reporting; why we ought to be grateful for our existence; how eudemonic happiness is central to equanimity in modern times and the importance of having a ‘why’ for what we do’; how authentic relationships are central to general equanimity and the primacy of action in the face of a divided world.

The first 2 podcasts in the Staying Composed in Troubling Times series focused on more direct psychological strategies for equanimity, but the focus in this third podcast is on less direct, but nonetheless very practical strategies that lead to inner calm and composure. I broke these into four, overlapping categories: 1 Maintaining physical health & resilience; 2. Intentional information and media consumption; 3. The active pursuit of purpose and of awe and; Prosocial action, compassion, gratitude and civility. Although there is much to worry about in the world, it is fortunate that there are so many ways to practically nurture equanimity and this series, hopefully, gives people a few extra practices they can add to their wellbeing toolkit!

Today in this Music & Mental Health Podcast I’m talking with artist, composer and record producer Robert Koch, who is much better known by his stage name, Foam and Sand. Originally from Germany, At the age of 13 he was inspired by MTV videos and embarked on his musical career. Now residing in Los Angeles, Robert has a stellar background in composing and producing his own work as well as for other major artists. Our topics are creativity and music and their relation to mental health, with a focus on what challenges our wellbeing and our creativity and what Robert has found that nurtures his creativity as well as he physical and mental wellbeing. I found this conversation very uplifting, and topics touched on included: the toll that touring took on him physically and psychologically; his decision to follow his passion, trust his intuition & stop touring; artistic sensitivity as a ‘super-power’; the relationship between intuition and a sense of coherence; meditation and accessing intuition; egolessness and the problems of the ego; healthy perfectionism and intrinsic motivation; being comfortable with the unknown; and other topics.