Are you ready to build a career you'll love? In this insightful podcast, host Jay Thakkar sits down with Iwan Williams, the Director of Careers at the University of Liverpool, to uncover the secrets to a successful career journey. We dive deep into the role of a university in shaping your future, the importance of gaining real-world experience, and why soft skills and confidence are your most powerful assets.Whether you're a student trying to choose your path or a professional looking to grow, this conversation is packed with actionable advice that will help you find your purpose and achieve your goals.Chapters:[00:29] Introduction to Iwan Williams[01:16] The University's Role in Your Career[04:16] Finding Unique Career Opportunities[08:18] The Importance of Experience[09:31] Choosing the Right Career Path[15:02] The Role of Self-Identity in Career Choices[18:50] Boosting Your Employability[23:26] Building Confidence for Success[29:14] Strategies for Career Growth[37:12] Why Soft Skills are a Game-Changer[43:14] A Challenging Decision-Making MomentMusic Rights:"Ghostrifter Official - Resurgence" is under a Free To Use YouTube license / @ghostrifterofficial Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSFSPZ3BcNwWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

Join me on the Jay Thakkar Show for a moving conversation with Dr. Xiaoxiao Hou, a Guzheng virtuoso and PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool. We dive into her extraordinary journey—from mastering piano and Guzheng in China, to performing across the UK, and now pioneering groundbreaking research on music, mental health, and dementia care Credits for Background Music and Small Display of Dr. Hou's performance:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=syoa310FUMw🎧 In this episode, you'll discover:🎼 Early musical roots in China — starting piano at 3, Guzheng at 5, and acing top conservatory-level exams by age 10🌏 Her move to the UK—studying Musicology at Durham, Applied Psychology at Leeds, and now completing a PhD in Liverpool🎤 The challenge and joy of bringing Chinese classical music to iconic UK venues using Guzheng performance🧠 Why she's merging music, psychology, and public health in her doctoral research, specifically using music to help people with dementia and their caregivers.💡 Real-life stories of healing and connection through music—seen in her work and performances across Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and moreWhether you're fascinated by world music, mental health in eldercare, or the transformative power of cultural exchange, this episode offers a powerful blend of artistry and empathy.🔔 Watch now and be inspired by music that heals, travels, and transcends!Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories where culture meets care.🔖 Hashtags#XiaoxiaoHou #Guzheng #ChineseClassicalMusic #MusicAndDementia #MentalHealth #UniversityOfLiverpool #MusicPhD #MusicTherapy #DementiaCare #CulturalExchange #WorldMusic #AcademicPodcast #JayThakkarShow #MusicPsychology #AppliedPsychology #MusicEducation #HealingThroughMusic #Eldercare #MentalWellbeing #PhDResearch #StudyInUK #ChinaToUK #MusicJourney #PodcastReleaseWelcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.Educational Series: This series dives deep into subjects like epistemology, the purpose of life, and more, providing valuable insights and knowledge to broaden your horizons.You'll join a community committed to personal growth, intellectual exploration, and meaningful conversations by subscribing. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner, Jay Thakkar Show is your platform for inspiration and enlightenment.

🎙️ In this episode of the Jay Thakkar Show, we dive deep into Advaita Vedanta with Dr. Gary Donnelly, a brilliant philosophy scholar from the University of Liverpool. We break down non-duality (Advaita) for beginners, and explore how it’s understood, taught, and even misinterpreted by famous Indian spiritual gurus like Osho, Sadhguru, Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), and Premanand Maharaj.✨ What you'll discover in this podcast:🔸 What is Advaita Vedanta, and why is it called the philosophy of non-duality?🔸 How does Shankara’s classical Advaita differ from modern interpretations?🔸 How do gurus like Osho, Sadhguru, Amma, and Premanand Maharaj teach non-duality today?🔸 Is there a difference between traditional Advaita Vedanta and popular spirituality?🔸 Book recommendations & simple ways to start your own exploration of Advaita.Whether you're curious about Indian philosophy, modern spirituality, or just want to understand how non-dual teachings apply to daily life, this episode is for you.💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Which guru or perspective on Advaita inspires (or confuses) you the most?📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more deep conversations on philosophy, spirituality, and culture.#AdvaitaVedanta, #NonDuality ,#IndianPhilosophy ,#Osho ,#Sadhguru ,#Amma, #PremanandMaharaj ,#JayThakkarShow, #SpiritualAwakening ,#VedantaForBeginners ,#EasternPhilosophy ,#ModernGurus, #Podcast, #UniversityOfLiverpool, #DrGaryDonnelly ,#SpiritualJourney ,#InnerPeace, #SankaraChapters;0:00 – 0:49 – Introduction & Overview of Indian Spiritual Gurus0:49 – 2:19 – What is Advaita Vedanta? Core Concepts Simplified2:19 – 3:06 – Advaita vs Buddhism: What's the Difference?3:06 – 5:34 – Nature of Indian Texts & Shankara’s Views on Rituals.5:34 – 6:54 – Shankara’s Philosophical Contributions.6:54 – 8:38 – Describing Brahman: The “Neti Neti” Approach.8:38 – 12:33 – Understanding Brahman, Atman & Knowledge12:33 – 16:49 – Maya, Leela & the Cosmic Game of Reality16:49 – 20:06 – Can Mystical Truths Be Rationalized? Big Bang & Brahman20:06 – 21:24 – Can Brahman Define Itself? Satchitananda Explained.21:24 – 23:05 – Why Definitions Matter in Daily Spiritual Practice23:05 – 25:06 – Advaita and Modern Narratives: Is It Being Co-opted?25:06 – 30:31 – Capitalism, Renunciation & Ethical Responsibility Today30:31 – 32:19 – Religious Hypocrisy: Monks, Money & Expectations32:19 – 35:19 – Osho: Humor, Rebellion & Spiritual Liberation35:19 – 36:45 – Evolving Religion: Keeping It Relevant in Modern Life36:45 – 43:17 – Religion, Politics & Justification of Violence43:17 – 46:49 – Questioning Scripture Without Losing Faith46:49 – 50:49 – Sadhguru's Approach: Modernization of Tradition50:49 – 52:44 – Sadhguru’s Devotion vs Classical Advaita’s Detachment53:03 – 55:42 – Premanand Maharaj: Rooted in Tradition with a Progressive Touch55:42 – 1:00:44 – LGBTQ, Brahman & the Illusion of Duality1:00:44 – 1:03:28 – Modern Social Challenges Need Contemporary Spiritual Voices1:05:52 – 1:09:59 – Amma’s Real-World Compassion & Service1:09:59 – 1:11:28 – Why Philosophy Needs Food, Shelter & Stability1:11:41 – 1:15:53 – Books to Explore Advaita, Vedanta & Indian Thought Welcome to Jay Thakkar ShowI'm Jay Thakkar, your host. We are committed to inspiring and empowering the youth through insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions. On this channel, we engage with top professors, industry experts, and thought leaders from diverse fields to bring multiple perspectives that challenge your thinking and fuel your imagination.What We OfferIn-Depth Interviews: Engaging dialogues with leading academics and professionals on topics ranging from philosophy and education to entrepreneurship and personal development.