In this episode, renowned neurophysiologist Jonathan Cole shares insights on how our physical body shapes our sense of self, communication, and emotional life. We delve into how physical conditions influence identity, the importance of embodiment, and the nuances of non-verbal communication in human experience.

Key topics:

• The role of neurophysiology in understanding sensory and motor deficits
• How loss of movement or sensation affects personal identity and social perception
• The impact of facial paralysis, disfigurement, and cosmetic surgery on social interaction and emotion
• The significance of gesture, posture, and body language in communication
• Differences in experiencing congenital vs. acquired conditions like blindness and deafness
• How embodiment influences mental health and self-awareness
• The societal implications of physical diversity and discrimination

Timestamps: (Approx)

00:00 - Introducing Jonathan Cole: Neurophysiology and accessible science

02:20 - How the nervous impulse explains bodily function and its narrative in literature

03:48 - Living without proprioception: Ian Waterman's story

06:30 - The curiosity-driven career bridging science and literature

08:37 - Embodiment and our automatic movements

10:22 - Practical challenges faced by those with proprioception loss

12:55 - The daily marathon of adapting to bodily disabilities

15:07 - Embodiment's effect on self-identity and social perception

16:47 - How social identity shifts with physical conditions like disfigurement or paralysis 18:48 - The importance of societal acceptance and personal resilience

22:03 - Visual vs. auditory vs. congenital vs. acquired sensory loss

25:10 - The process of adapting after spinal cord injuries and the role of community

27:29 - How embodiment influences verbal and non-verbal communication

30:49 - The role of body language and prosody in expressing emotion

34:22 - Embodiment and emotional expression: stories of women regaining feeling

37:10 - Cosmetic interventions, aging, and emotional expression

41:07 - Gesture impairments and their impact on relationships

43:20 - How physical expression (or lack thereof) influences support-seeking and social support

46:37 - Recognizing true character beyond facial cues

47:49 - Society's empathy and inclusion for embodied diversity

50:10 - The importance of understanding psychological and physical impairments

Resources & Links:

• Hard Talk by Jonathan Cole https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Hard-Talk-by-Jonathan-Cole/9780262049566?srsltid=AfmBOop5VwVWOtq9Q9DYvXR7jan_GAkc9HX_yJGbT294qjKQlQBgbM7V

• Chekhov’s Sakhalin Journey: Doctor, Humanitarian, Writer (Paperback). Jonathan Cole https://www.waterstones.com/book/chekhovs-sakhalin-journey/jonathan-cole/9781350367517

Note:

The discussion underscores the profound connection between our physical embodiment and our emotional, social, and psychological selves. Recognizing and accommodating physical diversity enhances societal empathy and supports human connection.