This week we're airing a rerun of one of our most popular episodes from June, 2021 with lawyer Dan Foley. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ratified same-sex marriage, a monumental achievement after a more than 25-year battle across the country. Recently, journalist Sasha Issenberg published a riveting, comprehensive history of that struggle, titled The Engagement: America’s Quarter Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage, tracing it back to 1990, when the political movement took off with...
Jun 27, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Today, we’re talking about how Buddhism can help you find the wisdom to overcome anything in life. In particular, the challenges that sometimes come with love and relationships. Our guest is Bryant Ríos-Niño, of Connecticut. He shares his parallel journeys of developing his Buddhist practice and learning what love, relationships and supporting your family truly takes.
Jun 14, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Today we are talking about how to tap into your potential, even when you can’t see it and even when your circumstances make you feel incapable. Our guest is Lance Powell, of Georgia, who shares how he encountered Buddhism at a time when hope for the future was hard to find, and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo allowed him to finally tap into the potential he knew he had, but had never quite been able to access before.
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 112
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: Winning in the morning.
May 23, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Today, we’re talking about what winning over yourself really takes: an honest look at what is causing you to suffer and the courage to transform it deep within. Our guest is Jamie Bautista from Davis, California, who shares her journey using her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to battle her own anger, which manifested at a young age. In the process, she discovered a beautiful person within.
May 12, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Today we’re talking about what inner transformation or human revolution looks like through a consistent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Our guest is Judy Juanita from Oakland, California. A writer and lecturer, she shares her incredible journey of many decades practicing Buddhism and how it helped her find the courage to change the things that held her back. SHOW NOTES: 1:33 Judy discovers Buddhism 9:05 Identifying the thing that was holding her back 20:56 Transforming a part of behavi...
May 03, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Today, we’re talking about what it really takes to build a foundation for your life. It’s a theme we’ve explored before on the show but one that looks different for all of us. Our guest is George Wong, of San Francisco, California, who shares how his Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has allowed him to turn his difficulties with school and self-worth into a career creating value from every experience. SHOW NOTES: 2:44 Getting rejected from college inspires George to start practic...
Apr 20, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 108
The teachings of Buddhism are vast and profound, that's why Buddhist study is a crucial part of deepening our practice. We're excited to announce our first ever Buddhability Beginner Email Course. So if you're new or just need a little refresher, you can go to https://buddhability.org/practice/emailcourse/ to sign up for seven short lessons, which will be delivered to your inbox over the course of four weeks.
Apr 11, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Today, we're talking about what it really takes to face your reality, especially when that requires taking a hard look at yourself. Our guest is Miho Saito, of Long Beach, California who shares the ups and downs of a journey in which she continually left home in search of herself in an effort to avoid things that felt too difficult to face. Eventually, through her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Miho found the courage to come home to herself. SHOW NOTES: 1:37 How Miho started ...
Apr 03, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 106
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: Buddhism and the real world. References: “The Kalpa of Decrease,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin , vol. 1, p. 1121 The Power to Win Each Day The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace , part 2, p. 88 My Dear Friends in America , third edition, p. 83 Discussions on Youth , p. 71...
Mar 24, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Today, we're talking about how Buddhism sees obstacles in particular, those big challenges, life throws your way when you're least expecting it. Our guest is Brian Lindgren of Virginia who shares about how his buddhist practice helped him challenge his circumstances with fresh energy, helped him find a life in music and understand the deeper meaning of his problems. SHOW NOTES: 1:30 How Brian encountered Buddhism 10:40 Trying to create a life as a musician in New York and facing financial setbac...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Our guest is James, of New York, who shares how a consistent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps him navigate some of the toughest moments of his life from dealing with addiction to finding his place and purpose. Note: Buddhism does not contradict medical science. If anything, for Buddhists, seeking out professional advice and support is an important step toward caring for ourselves. If you or a friend is struggling with addiction, please seek out professional help. SHOW NOTES: 3:11- ...
Mar 09, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Today we are talking about one of the most difficult but universal tendencies we experience—people-pleasing. Our guest is Megan Weinstein, of Chicago, who shares about her journey practicing Buddhism and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her identify and tackle the feelings that, for too long, led her to live her life based on other people’s opinions. For anyone who has ever felt like they are supposed to show up in a certain way, rather than as your true precious self, this episode is for...
Mar 01, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 102
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: Bodhisattvas of the Earth. References: Nichiren Buddhist Library: Bodhisattva The Bodhisattva Opens the Way to Happiness for All The Mission and Practice of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth Illuminate the World With the Sun of Your Youthful Vow...
Feb 21, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Today we are talking about relationships—especially the long and complicated kind, the ones that provide us with the greatest lessons about life and love. Our guest is Mónica Lladó-Ortega, of Puerto Rico, who shares the most beautiful story of her relationship with her husband, which endured a significant breakup right in the beginning. But most encouraging of all is the story of her relationship with herself and how Buddhism helped her see her own worth. CHEAT SHEET 4:29 How Mónica encountered ...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Today, we’re talking about how to orient our lives onto a happy, healthy path, no matter what kind of circumstances we begin with. Our guest is Melanie Santiago, of Denver, who shares how she encountered Buddhism at the young age of 13 when she was going through a tumultuous time and how learning to apply Buddhist philosophy to her life helped her shift her life state from one of suffering and victimhood to one of agency and happiness. Trigger Warning: This episode mentions attempted suicide. CH...
Feb 10, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Today we're talking about what it takes to pursue a dream that forces you to battle your own ego or hopelessness. Key takeaway: Practice for self and others is the key to breaking through our own limitations. Our guest is model, Masamichi Nyunoya, of New York, who shares the story of how his parents helped him start his Buddhist practice at a crucial crossroads in his life and how he has turned to that practice again and again on his journey toward the career of his dreams. CHEAT SHEET 1:52 How ...
Jan 31, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Today we’re unpacking the question: what does it mean to win every day when sometimes things take time to resolve? Our guest is Yoko Ambulo, of Chicago, who shares her journey learning Buddhist lessons about what happiness actually is, what a winning daily rhythm looks like, and why it's so important to create an arena in which you give yourself a chance to win. CHEAT SHEAT 1:11 Why Yoko started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 4:47 The law of cause and effect 7:30 What a winning daily rhythm looks ...
Jan 20, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 97
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: winning in the present. References: True Cause: The Spirit of Always Moving Forward From the Present Moment 4 Points to Master Time The Power to Win Each Day...
Jan 12, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Today we’re talking about family and what to do if you just can’t reconcile differences with them. Our guests are sisters Lauren and Molly Leebove from Michigan, whose intertwined stories of beginning their Buddhist practice and transforming their relationship with their parents are rich with lessons on what Buddhability looks like in a family setting. CHEAT SHEET 1:22 Quote from Daisaku Ikeda in The New Human Revolution , vol. 26 p. 203–4. 2:04 Introduction to Molly and Lauren 2:54 How Molly st...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Today we're addressing how Buddhism can help us tackle family dynamics. Our guest is Brian Angulo, of New York, who shares how, in just a few years, his Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enabled him to transform a family dynamic that seemed impossible to change. Based on finding his own agency, courage and wisdom, he learned to lead with his heart and take responsibility for strengthening bonds in a way that was true to him. CHEAT SHEET 1:18 How Brian starting chanting Nam-myoho-...
Dec 16, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Today we’re talking about navigating job challenges, an aspect of life that be universal difficult, whether you are facing job loss, trying to find a job, navigating a tough industry or having a hard time believing in yourself at work. Our guest is Mehul Anand, of Georgia, who shares the ups and downs of her career in tech, and the profound lessons her Buddhist practice helped her learn along the way. CHEAT SHEET 2:39 Why Mehul started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 6:24 An overview of her career ...
Dec 08, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 93
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: human revolution. References: Human Revolution What Does Human Revolution Look Like? Can my human revolution really change the world? How can I be sure that I’m progressing in my human revolution? The Wisdom of Buddhist Humanism...
Nov 30, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Today we’re talking about how to do it all when you have a full plate. Whether you are an overwhelmed parent or caregiver aspiring to build a career you love, or lacking the support you wish you had to care for yourself and everything else in your life, doing it all can be tough. And amid the chaos, we tend to be hardest on ourselves. Dr. Gitima Sharma, of California State University, talks us through how she approaches this subject as a counselor educator, and also as a Buddhist practitioner an...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 91
Today we're talking about appreciation, which is central to Buddhism in so many ways and yet, easier to talk about than truly practice, especially when it comes to the tougher circumstances in our lives. Our guest is Doris Edwards, of Philadelphia, who has been chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for many years. We discuss the Buddhist perspective on appreciation and her own journey toward it. CHEAT SHEET 2:18 How Doris encountered Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 6:16 What shifted within her when she started chant...
Nov 10, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Today we're talking about how to stop seeking the approval of other people, which, on the one hand, is a normal human desire, and on the other, can cause us the deepest suffering when we don't receive it. It can be especially worse when the approval or praise we seek is from our loved ones. Our guest is Dave Drake, who practices Buddhism in New York City, and shares his journey with this very struggle, both in his personal life and as a musician, The episode is filled with practical insights abo...
Nov 03, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 89
“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life. Today’s is: earthly desires are enlightenment. References: The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part one, revised edition, pp. 170–71 My Dear Friends in America , p. 92
Oct 27, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Today we're talking about unlocking our own agency when it comes to peace-building efforts and protecting our planet. Our guest is Emma Pike, of Boston, who is an activist in the field of nuclear abolition, an issue that is key to SGI Nichiren Buddhists because nuclear war represents the exact opposite of what Buddhism strives to protect: the dignity of all life. Emma shares her own inspiring journey of unlocking the courage to pursue work in this field, which began from her practice of chanting...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 87
Today’s episode is for beginners, though the takeaways are refreshing and valuable for even seasoned chanters. Our guest is Crystal Fraser, of Colorado, who shares some basics about SGI Nichiren Buddhism and its core practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as well as her own journey with it. We then dig into a popular question: What should we chant about and why do people talk so much about turning the impossible into possible? CHEAT SHEET 0:49 How Crystal encountered Buddhism and why she star...
Oct 12, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Today we’re speaking with Yuri Yamashita, of New York, about her career as a percussionist and how her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her beat the odds and her own self-doubt to pave her own path in the industry. She was most recently the percussionist for the Tina Turner musical on Broadway, a remarkable coincidence because during moments of her own personal struggles, Tina Turner’s story and Buddhist practice was a great source of inspiration for Yuri. CHEAT SHEET 1:0...
Oct 06, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 85
