Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, Professor Emerita of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon and former President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences.
After more than 30 years of NIH-funded research on motor control, balance, and rehabilitation, a profound meditation experience led her to question her understanding of consciousness and reality.
In this conversation, they explore:
— Why Dr. Woollacott's research with nonverbal autistic children is raising questions about telepathic abilities
— How the brain may act as a filter that limits our perception of a much larger reality
— The scientific evidence for reincarnation from researchers including Ian Stevenson and Jim Tucker
— What synchronicities may reveal about the interconnected nature of consciousness
— Why pursuing a parallel line of research allowed Dr. Woollacott to study consciousness while building her academic career
You can learn more about Dr. Woollacott's work at https://marjoriewoollacott.com.
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Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D., is an Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon and a renowned neuroscientist specializing in human movement, attention, meditation, and consciousness. She has received more than $7.2 million in research funding and has conducted research in child development, aging, rehabilitation, meditation, tai chi, balance, and attentional abilities. Woollacott has published over 200 scientific articles and authored or co-edited eight books, including the widely used textbook Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice. She is Research Director of the International Association of Near-Death Studies and President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences. Her book Infinite Awareness explores the relationship between neuroscience, consciousness, and spiritual experiences, reflecting her work at the intersection of scientific research and questions about the nature of the mind.
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Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
04:16 – The Universe Is More Playful Than We Think
05:57 – What Synchronicity Reveals About Reality
08:27 – Is Your Body Conscious?
09:45 – The Synchronicity That Changed Her Life
12:32 – Why the Right Partner Matters
14:32 – The Awakening That Changed Everything
18:12 – Why Success Can Lead to Spiritual Seeking
19:27 – The Evidence for Reincarnation
25:36 – The Mystery of Children Who Remember Past Lives
28:07 – The Research Into Telepathy and Autism
33:05 – A New Approach to Consciousness Research
33:46 – Making Consciousness Research Credible
35:34 – Is the Brain a Filter for Consciousness?
40:16 – How Beliefs Shape What We Perceive
43:23 – What Happens After Death?
48:16 – The Nature of Consciousness
50:27 – Why We Suffer
53:01 – Are We Co-Creating Reality?
55:50 – Science and the Interconnected Universe
59:33 – The Power of Connection and Awareness
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Interview Links:
— Dr. Woollacott's website: marjoriewoollacott.com
— Dr. Woollacott's books: marjoriewoollacott.com/books
— Dr. Woollacott's events: marjoriewoollacott.com/events
In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, Professor Emerita of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon and former President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences.
After more than 30 years of NIH-funded research on motor control, balance, and rehabilitation, a profound meditation experience led her to question her understanding of consciousness and reality.
In this conversation, they explore:
— Why Dr. Woollacott's research with nonverbal autistic children is raising questions about telepathic abilities
— How the brain may act as a filter that limits our perception of a much larger reality
— The scientific evidence for reincarnation from researchers including Ian Stevenson and Jim Tucker
— What synchronicities may reveal about the interconnected nature of consciousness
— Why pursuing a parallel line of research allowed Dr. Woollacott to study consciousness while building her academic career
You can learn more about Dr. Woollacott's work at https://marjoriewoollacott.com.
---
Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D., is an Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon and a renowned neuroscientist specializing in human movement, attention, meditation, and consciousness. She has received more than $7.2 million in research funding and has conducted research in child development, aging, rehabilitation, meditation, tai chi, balance, and attentional abilities. Woollacott has published over 200 scientific articles and authored or co-edited eight books, including the widely used textbook Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice. She is Research Director of the International Association of Near-Death Studies and President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences. Her book Infinite Awareness explores the relationship between neuroscience, consciousness, and spiritual experiences, reflecting her work at the intersection of scientific research and questions about the nature of the mind.
---
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
04:16 – The Universe Is More Playful Than We Think
05:57 – What Synchronicity Reveals About Reality
08:27 – Is Your Body Conscious?
09:45 – The Synchronicity That Changed Her Life
12:32 – Why the Right Partner Matters
14:32 – The Awakening That Changed Everything
18:12 – Why Success Can Lead to Spiritual Seeking
19:27 – The Evidence for Reincarnation
25:36 – The Mystery of Children Who Remember Past Lives
28:07 – The Research Into Telepathy and Autism
33:05 – A New Approach to Consciousness Research
33:46 – Making Consciousness Research Credible
35:34 – Is the Brain a Filter for Consciousness?
40:16 – How Beliefs Shape What We Perceive
43:23 – What Happens After Death?
48:16 – The Nature of Consciousness
50:27 – Why We Suffer
53:01 – Are We Co-Creating Reality?
55:50 – Science and the Interconnected Universe
59:33 – The Power of Connection and Awareness
---
Interview Links:
— Dr. Woollacott's website: marjoriewoollacott.com
— Dr. Woollacott's books: marjoriewoollacott.com/books
— Dr. Woollacott's events: marjoriewoollacott.com/events
