Best Buddhist Geeks Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 151 - Buddhist Geeks, 21st Century Practice, and The Duhkha of Palestine 1:01:38

3d ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Ethan welcomes Buddhist Geeks Co-Founder, teacher, and Palestinian-American Dharma teacher Vince Fakhoury Horn. They discuss the rise of "podcast dharma" in the early 21st century, Vince's path to teaching meditation, Vince's experience of his Palestinian heritage, why it's hard to get Dharma teachers to speak out about the genocide in Gaza, The Bu…

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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Evening Dharma Talk - The Qualities of a Good Friend 47:16

3d ago47:16

47:16

This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Mikey Livid offers the first afternoon instructions on loving kindness meditation. The phrases offered are: May I be at ease. May I be at peace. may I be kind and gentle with myself. May I be filled with loving kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundr…

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An Interview with Sharon Salzberg - The Power of Loving Kindness 45:10

8d ago45:10

45:10

In this episode Wild Heart guiding teacher Mikey Livid interviews meditation pioneer and New York Times best selling author Sharon Salzberg. Sharon will be teaching an online fundraiser for Wild Heart Meditation Center Saturday, August 9th and 6pm central. Register link can be found here: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org Wild Heart Meditat…

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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Afternoon Instruction - Loving Kindness Meditation 40:40

10d ago40:40

40:40

This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Mikey Livid offers the first afternoon instructions on loving kindness meditation. The phrases offered are: May I be at ease. May I be at peace. may I be kind and gentle with myself. May I be filled with loving kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundr…

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Ep. 150 - The Virtues of Boredom (The Most Boring Podcast Ever!) 46:57

10d ago46:57

46:57

This is the 150th episode of The Road Home Podcast! Yay, Big Deal! But, it’s—as always—also a conversation about the Dharma, and the mind, and how to work with your own experience. And your mind, especially during meditation, can be boring. Very boring. So why is boredom such a difficult, yet important—and creative—experience? What do we do about b…

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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Morning Instruction - Mindfulness of Breath 1:18:38

17d ago1:18:38

1:18:38

This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Andrew Chapman offers the first morning instructions on mindfulness of breathing with the attitude of kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundraiser of WHMC Aug. 9th at 6pm central! Register here: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org Wild Heart Me…

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Ep. 149 - The Whole World Is Gold To Me: Tantra and Generosity 47:54

19d ago47:54

47:54

(This episode of The Road Home is dedicated to the memory of Joanna Macy—founder of the Eco-Dharma and Deep Ecology Movements—who passed this weekend at the age of 96) On this episode, a follow-up to episode 148, Ethan explores wealth and generosity from a tantric perspective. If you could take the view, for just one moment, that you, your percepti…

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Ep. 148 - No More Billionaires - Wealth, Livelihood and Generosity in the Hinayana and Mahayana 56:54

26d ago56:54

56:54

What is generosity (“dana” in the Buddhist languages), and how does it relate to our experience of wealth, our consumption, our labor, and our shared values as a society? How can we work with our craving for always have more like one of those a metal claw machines in a video game arcade, leaving us unable to live in the practice of Dana, or "fluid …

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Ep. 147 - Don’t Stop Believing - Faith and Awareness in The Six Bardos of Collapse and Rebirth 1:00:22

1M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

How we work with our minds in the spaces between collapse and rebirth (those uncomfortable gaps in life as well as the huge “gap” after death) hold the key to creating futures that do not replicate the stuckness and suffering of our past. This is true both personally and collectively. As always, with recent world events in mind, we discuss the six …

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No Self and the Five Aggregates 30:41

1M ago30:41

30:41

Mikey Livid discusses a practical approach to the often overly intellectualized Buddhist concepts of no self (anatta) and the five aggregates. The five aggregates are: form, feeling, perception, mental inclination, and consciousness. Enjoy! UPCOMING RETREATS: July 16th-20th Sewanee, TN - Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat: https://www.floweringlotu…

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Ep. 146 - The Dissonance of 2025 46:41

2M ago46:41

46:41

Ethan visits a recurrent conversation he’s been having with his students, his friends, and within his own mind: the dissonance between feeling like your personal life and close community are in basically good places, while simultaneously raising your gaze to see the immense suffering and chaos of the world. How can we hold those two and find our co…

1
Guest Teacher: Dave Smith - Mindfulness and the Addiction Economy 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

Dave Smith discusses the ever growing expansion of social media's "attention economy" into what has become an addiction economy. Dave explores Buddhist practices as a way to approach modern addiction to social media. Enjoy! Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindne…

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Ep. 145 - Always Meditate on Whatever Provokes Resentment 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

What is resentment? Why is it so corrosive? How can we work with our resentments? How can we overcome a victim mentality while still protecting ourselves, protecting others, and protecting truth? In this solo episode, Ethan uses a classic Tantric Buddhist contemplative slogan from the Lojong mind training tradition that translates as either “Always…

1
Compassionate Holding, Compassionate Responding 22:21

3M ago22:21

22:21

Mikey Livid gives a talk on compassion in response to the pain and confusion of ICE's presence in Nashville, TN and many cities in the United States. Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th in Sewanee, TN:https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreat Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Budd…

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Ep. 144 - Microdosing Grief and The Practice of Saying Goodbye 38:08

3M ago38:08

38:08

In a spontaneous episode, Ethan discusses grief and loss while processing multiple events. At a recent compassion meditation retreat, colleague and friend René Fay gave a presentation where she discussed the need to “Microdose Grief,” to take it in little by little so that we can honor the small moments of loss to develop familiarity with the exper…

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The Path - The 2nd Noble Truth (part 1) 47:31

3M ago47:31

47:31

Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…

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Ep. 143 - Meditations for Mortals with Oliver Burkeman 56:26

3M ago56:26

56:26

How can we embrace the limitations of time and the certainty of death and create real fulfillment that thrives on an honest assessment of our human predicament? These are the questions at the heart of this episode. Ethan welcomes back bestselling author and journalist Oliver Burkeman for a discussion of finitude, death, limitations, productivity, a…

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Awakening Is Possible - The Third Noble Truth 24:44

3M ago24:44

24:44

Mikey Livid offers a talk on the Third Noble Truth: awakening is possible. He also discusses a Buddhist concept of the saying "Let Go, Let God." Enjoy! Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th in Sewanee, TN: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreat Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit B…

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Ep. 142 - The White Lotus, The God Realm and Pop-Culture Dharma 38:49

3M ago38:49

38:49

In this episode, Ethan does what at least 40 people have asked him to do (special shout-out to Michele S. in Iowa who convinced him to devote a whole podcast episode to it!) - share his thoughts, as a Buddhist, on Season 3 of the Max streaming series The White Lotus. To do so, he explains three different ways to look at the concept of “Dharma Art,”…

1
The Path - The First Noble Truth 40:20

4M ago40:20

40:20

Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…

1
Ep. 141 - Strong Back, Soft Front: The Posture of Meditation is The Posture of Courage 43:10

4M ago43:10

43:10

In this episode, Ethan links a crucial set of instructions from mindfulness meditation teachers of the past regarding how we carry our posture to what it means to show up in this world at a time of chaos. He discusses the instructions on mindfulness meditation from the “warrior” tradition of enlightened society, as well as decoding the qualities of…

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Equanimity (Upekkha) - 7 Factors of Awakening Series 28:34

4M ago28:34

28:34

Maddie Finn offers a talk on equanimity (upekkha) as a part of a talk on the seven factors of awakening. The seven factors are: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. Enjoy! Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-r…

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Ep. 140 - Equanimity Feels Different on a Roller Coaster 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

After tariffs were broadly imposed by the current American regime (including, apparently on uninhabited islands populated mostly by penguins) causing a nearly unprecedented crash of the stock market, and after attending the lovely and unexpectedly massive protest marches that took place on April 5, Ethan ponders how to deal with extreme states of m…

1
Working With Preferences 25:42

4M ago25:42

25:42

In this episode Mikey Livid discusses the difference between craving and desire through exploring his complex relationship to the saying: "Happiness comes easy to those with little preference." Enjoy! Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th in Sewanee, TN: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retre…

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Ep. 139 - A Buddhist View of A.I. (It Ain't Great...) 51:34

4M ago51:34

51:34

In light of revelations about the theft of countless authors' work by one A.I. company (guess which one), Ethan finally talks about a topic he's been requested to cover for a while: Buddhist views on artificial intelligence. He begins by positioning the conversation within the frame of View and Intention, asking the question of what "technology" is…

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Guest Teacher: Ralph De La Rosa - Breaking Open Without Breaking Down 58:01

5M ago58:01

58:01

Ralph De La Rosa offers a talk and meditation on the topic "Breaking Open Without Breaking Down." Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th:https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreat Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditat…

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Sharon Salzberg on Dipa Ma 34:57

5M ago34:57

34:57

Emily Horn is joined by renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg to share reflections on her beloved teacher, Dipa Ma, a Bangladeshi meditation master, who was known for her extraordinary concentration, profound insight, and unwavering kindness. Sharon recounts her personal experiences with Dipa Ma, highlighting her maternal yet fierce presence,…

1
Ep. 138 - Torched Teslas, Fart Noises, And Right Action Against The Oligarchy 49:46

5M ago49:46

49:46

Ethan delves further into right action during a time of protest and chaos, using the recent examples of Tesla cars and cybertrucks being set on fire as a launching point. In The Power of Choice episode, he looked into the five precepts as guidelines for empowered and skillful action. In this episode, he looks into actions of mind as our guide: whet…

1
The Wisdom of Boundaries 45:12

5M ago45:12

45:12

In this episode Andrew Chapman offers a dharma talk on the wisdom of setting boundaries! Enjoy! Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat July 16th-20th: https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/2025-tennesee-summer-loving-kindness-retreat Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditati…

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Ep. 137 - People-Pleasing: A Buddhist View 40:34

5M ago40:34

40:34

Ethan delves into the Bodhisattva teachings on happiness, benefitting beings, and “idiot compassion,” or what happens when compassion becomes an ego construction. How do we tell the difference between helping others in a nourishing way, on the one hand, and doing things for others that we really don’t want to do that leave us burnt out and resentfu…

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Ep. 136 - The Heart Sutra, Groundlessness, Joy, and Crumbling Patriarchy with Susan Piver 52:57

5M ago52:57

52:57

Ethan welcomes bestselling author and Dharma teacher Susan Piver for a discussion of the groundlessness of our current world framed through her new book Inexplicable Joy: On The Heart Sutra. If you'd like to read a translation of this classic Buddhist text, you can find that on Ethan's Substack. Susan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author …

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Ep. 135 - The Three Lords of Materialism 52:43

5M ago52:43

52:43

Ethan discusses the classic origins of the worldview of "Materialism," as well a framework developed by the Tibetan teacher Chogyam Trungpa called "The Three Lords of Materialism" for looking at how we can notice our tendency to chase peak experiences in the arenas of the physical world, intellectual experience, and of course, our spiritual paths. …

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How to Become a Buddhist 40:38

5M ago40:38

40:38

Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…

1
Feed The Bad Wolf 16:58

6M ago16:58

16:58

In this episode Mikey offers a talk gently criticizing the traditional folklore about the two wolves. Enjoy! Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/d…

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Ep. 134 - The Power of Choice: The Five Precepts as a Recipe for Transformation 52:41

6M ago52:41

52:41

Ethan discusses a classic Buddhist concept, sīla (or shila), through the lens of knowing where to place our attention and action, knowing "what to cultivate and what to reject." Choices shift energy and energy can build power, and that power can be the difference between awakening and confusion. Ethan also argues, using the five precepts (or five m…

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Ep. 133 - The Dharma of Film: A Complete Unknown, Or A Cesspool of Ego? with Andrew Buckland 1:00:15

7M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Ethan is joined for an insightful discussion about Dharma Art with Academy Award-winning film editor and Buddhist meditator Andrew Buckland. They discuss the practice of filmmaking and creativity more generally, as well as Andrew's path, the film A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic which was Andrew's latest editing project. Finally, they discu…

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Ep. 132 - Is Mindfulness Enough (Why Study Buddhist Philosophy)? 56:05

7M ago56:05

56:05

Ethan is joined for an insightful discussion about Entering the Study of Buddhism with the faculty of Dharma Moon's Yearlong Buddhist Studies program. Check out all the cool offerings at our sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (The first 6-Week module, Entering The Path, is open to all and starts January 28, 2025) a…

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Ep. 131 - The World Is On Fire 18:56

7M ago18:56

18:56

Ethan offers a lovingkindness (metta/maitri) meditation for all who are effected by the climate crisis, and discusses why when global crises require our action, our practice might be a privilege, but it's also a necessity. The climate crisis recognizes no borders, and we are truly all in this together. Just a few links to help and get involved with…

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Leigh Brasington on Ayya Khema 54:45

7M ago54:45

54:45

In this episode of Our Beloved Teachers, dharma teacher Leigh Brasington reflects on his transformative experiences studying with Ven. Ayya Khema, one of his most influential teachers. Leigh shares how Ayya Khema's clarity, discipline, and groundbreaking teachings on meditation, including the jhānas, shaped his practice and teaching path. The conve…

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Ep. 130 - Five Keys To A Sustainable Meditation Practice 42:54

7M ago42:54

42:54

Ethan discusses the difficulty with keeping a meditation practice going that is relevant for those who are new to practice as well as those who have been finding their seat for many years. He offers five keys to making your practice more sustainable this year. Check out all the cool offerings at our sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Yearlong Buddh…

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Compassion For All Beings (but mostly yourself!) - Talk + Meditation 41:15

7M ago41:15

41:15

In this episode Rev. Mikey offers a talk and guided meditation on compassion. The phrases Mikey uses during the meditation are: I feel you. I know you. I love you. Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially pl…

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Ep 129 - The Astrology of 2025 (Not A Chapter, A Whole New Book) with Juliana McCarthy 1:04:21

8M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Ethan is joined again by friend, bestselling author, dharma practitioner and astrologer Juliana McCarthy. They discuss the various movements in astrology in 2024 and 2025 from a mindful perspective. Juliana gives her optimistic take on what is to come, calling Mid 2025 onward "Not A New Chapter, But A Whole New Book," why Ethan is praying for Star …

1
Wise Intention During the Holidays! 40:32

8M ago40:32

40:32

Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…

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Ep. 128 - Enlightened Society with David Nichtern 1:18:21

8M ago1:18:21

1:18:21

Ethan is joined by Dharma Moon founder and award winning musician/composer David Nichtern for a true moment of Nichternity. They engage in a wide-ranging discussion (the only kind they know how to have) about Wicked, Ariana Grande, Ethan's issue with musicals, the death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, the Kaliyuga or "dark ages," fear of impermanence,…

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The Dharma of Gratitude and Sympathetic Joy (Talk & Meditation) 44:18

8M ago44:18

44:18

In this episode Rev. Mikey offers a talk and guided meditation of gratitude and sympathetic joy (mudita). Here are the phrases used for the meditation: May your happiness grow. May your happiness continue. I am rooting for you. Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcen…

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Ep. 127 - Conspirituality: Compassion Down The Rabbithole with Derek Beres 56:26

8M ago56:26

56:26

Ethan is joined by health journalist and podcaster Derek Beres to discuss the dominance of misinformation in the health, wellness and spiritual spaces, and how we might be able to understand and converse with the people—and the parts of ourselves—that have gone "down the rabbithole." Derek Beres is a multi-faceted author, speaker, and podcaster bas…

1
Be Careful with your Attention! 38:48

8M ago38:48

38:48

Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…

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Ep. 126 - Rock-Bottom Individualism and The Possibility of Sangha 42:27

9M ago42:27

42:27

Ethan discusses the addiction concept of "rock-bottom" and how that concept can be transposed onto the worldview of individualism and individual power. In what ways, from a Buddhist standpoint, is individualism healthy and necessary? In what ways is it confused? Can we transition to a more collective or community-oriented worldview, and what is the…

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