In this episode I am joined by Ani Pema, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist religion and former swami in the Siddha Yoga organisation. Ani Pema recalls her childhood in Boise Idaho, her high flying career in fashion working for Vogue magazine, and how dissatisfaction with the American dream set her on a spiritual search. Ani Pema details her sixteen years of close discipleship and ordination under the renowned Siddha Yoga guru Swami Muktananda, her transformative encounters with the 16th Ka...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Mary Shutan: author, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Mary explains her activities as a modern spirit worker, reveals how to form and maintain working relationships with spirits, details the difference between spirit pacts and contracts, and warns about the unintended consequences of making deals with unknown beings. Mary explores the problems associated with using the word “shaman”, offers a critique of modern shamanism training courses, and explains w...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 41 min
In this episode I am joined by Johan Hausen, Taoist teacher, translator, Chinese medicine practitioner, and founder of Purple Cloud Press. Johan shares his life story from years of competitive Tae Kwon Do, through his travels and travails in China in search of a master, and to his eventual training and discipleship in the Wu Dang mountains. Johan reflects on his years learning Classical and spoken Chinese, considers the challenges of translating ancient literature for modern readers, and reveals...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 39 min
This trialogue continues a series of discussion exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death. Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia. Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. Dr Tidwell le...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 52 min
I was recently interviewed by @gabikoyenov about a wide range of topics for his podcast. ... Gabi's shownotes: In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by Steve James, known as Guru Viking, who delves into his unique life experiences and the genesis of his intriguing persona. Steve shares insights from living on a boat, his personal religious exploration, and the profound impact of martial arts on his approach to discipline and personal growth. He highlights key influences in his life, includi...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 24 min
In this episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato: a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition. Dhammarato critiques Western and Asian Buddhist forms, including the Mahasi method, and addresses misconceptions about stream entry. Dhammarato comments on The Shorter Discourse to Mālunkyāputta, explains why the Buddha refused to teach on certain metaphysical subjects, challenges reincarnation, and questions mettā bhāvanā. Dhammarato also presents his understanding of the Buddha’s true teach...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 29 min
In this episode, I am once again joined by Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including her recent “Clearing the Way to Awakening”. Lopon Yudron Wangmo shares the story of her life, her childhood with a spiritualist mother, anecdotes of childhood psychic explorations in automatic writing and other techniques, and reflects on whether psychic abilities are inherent or cultivated. Lopon Yudron Wangmo recounts how she became a radical lesbian femini...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and author, and Mark Mininberg, Zen master and dharma heir to Bernie Glassman. Stephen and Mark discuss their new podcast interview series, “Anatomy of Awakening”, in which they engage in peer-to-peer trialogue with other teachers of enlightenment. Stephen and Mark reveal why they chose the teachers they have featured, the degree to which various claims to spiritual attainment played a part in their selection, and how t...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between Lama Justin von Bujdoss and Charlie Morley. Justin and Charlie share their extensive experience as modern teachers of Vajrayana, compare notes on the state of Tantra in the West, and reflect on the responsibility of openly teaching previously restricted, esoteric practices. Justin and Charlie wrestle with the tension between conserving traditional religious forms and innovating to meet today’s moral sensibilities and technological currents. They suggest ...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 57 min
In this episode I am joined by Professor Mara Einstein, digital marketing critic; author and public speaker on cult brands and influencer scams; and tenured professor of media studies at Queens College (CUNY). Mara discusses her latest book “Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults”, warns about manipulative marketing techniques used in media and religions, details the 9 steps of cult recruitment, and shares case studies of religious marketing models. Mara recalls her own life jou...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 19 min
This trialogue is the first in a series exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death. Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Virginia. Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the Univ...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 32 min
In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Sherdor reflects on the changes in the spiritual journey over a lifetime, whether or not the world is becoming more turbulent, and the effects of ageing on yogic practice and view. Tulku Sherdor explains why mind training is superior to mystical experiences, emphasises the reality of impermanence, and shares the best tests of successful retreat ...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, I am joined by Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including her recent “Clearing the Way to Awakening”. Lopon Yudron Wangmo offers an analysis of the shortcomings of today’s Buddhist literature, details the writing process for “Clearing the Way to Awakening”, and reveals the stylistic and language choices she made to better reach the average reader. Lopon Yudron Wangmo describes the power of the ngondro preliminary practices of ...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 28 min
In this episode I am joined by Rebekah Sturgill, mother, school teacher, and convert to Orthodox Christianity. Rebekah details her upbringing in a Texan evangelical church and how encounters with authoritarianism and questions about her sexuality saw her leave the religion. Rebekah describes a period of passionate teenage atheism before becoming deeply involved in feminist activism beginning in university. Rebekah explains why she remains a feminist but left activism and how, through a powerful ...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 19 min
In this episode I am joined by Lorna Byrne, spiritual teacher and best selling author of “Angels in my Hair”. Lorna describes her childhood in Ireland when she first began to see and interact with angels and souls of the dead, and recalls how she navigated these visionary experiences. Lorna discusses the different types of angels that she sees, as well as other beings such as souls of the deceased, land spirits, elementals and more, and how others might learn to see as she does. Lorna also refle...
Apr 11, 2025•59 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, alchemists, practitioners of Western Esotericism, and authors of ‘Alchemy, The Divine Work’. Katarina and Tommy detail the stages and methods of the spiritual path of Western alchemy. They explain the movement through four phases, describe the operations employed during each, and reveal the signs of progress that indicate success. Katarina and Tommy reveal how to pray to the Madonna, how to purify karma, how to w...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 40 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Mordy Levine, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author of ‘The Beginner’s Guide to Karma’ with Lama Lhanang. Mordy discusses the Buddhist doctrine of karma, explores its history in Indian thought, and differentiates the various types of karmic actions and their consequences. Mordy reveals special, esoteric methods to purify bad karma, compares the Tibetan tradition to Zen, and grapples with the importance of motive in karmic justice. Mordy a...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 10 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several books including ‘Buddha’s Heart’, ‘Trust in Awakening’, and his latest release ‘Liberating the Self’. Stephen emphasises the importance of working with personality structures even after Buddhist awakening, and offers methods to resolve trauma and destructive patterns to unlock hidden spiritual strength. Stephen warns about the dangers of achieving enlightenment without dealing with one’s p...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Piers Cross, ex-Buddhist monk, coach, and creator of the documentary “Boarding on Insanity”. Piers explains the British boarding school system, examines its history and social context, and reveals how and why boarding school attendance is seen by many as a pathway to power. Piers recalls his own boarding school experience, the trauma and subsequent breakdown it caused, and describes the dynamic of the “privilege double-bind”. Piers recounts his years as ...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 54 min
In this episode, I am joined by Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, Sufi musician, music therapist, and founder of the international Ensemble Ak Pirim. Ilyas recalls stories of his Sufi path, his meeting and discipleship under his Sufi sheik, and stories of profound spiritual connection and transcendence through devotional music and religious practice. Ilyas describes Sufism as a love relationship, reveals his own difficult childhood, and explains how to stabilise divine ecstasy in the human body. Ilyas als...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 15 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a tantric priest in a centuries old Newari Buddhist family lineage and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya. Prajwal Vajracharya reveals the rich world of Newari life rituals, in which major life events such as birth, coming of age, marriage, and death are celebrated by religious and community rites. Prajwal Vajracharya explains the initiation rituals for boys and girls, including a 12-day dark retreat in ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Mary Shutan: author, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Mary discusses her new book “Shadow Work for the Soul”, shares her lifelong fascination with the psychological power of dark fairytales, and explains the function of social masks and personae. Mary remarks on a notable increase in spiritual emergencies, a rise in nihilism and the “dark feminine”, and offers advice for those facing spiritual crisis. Mary then takes a deep dive into shadow work, challe...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 19 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and executive director of Saraswati Bhawan Publications. Khandro Kunzang reveals her experience as a spiritual consort to a Tibetan lama, and shares her understanding of this controversial practice. Khandro Kunzang recalls how she became a consort, details her extensive preparations, and explains the coarse and subtle body yogas involved. Khandro Kunzang also discusses the use of consort practic...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 26 min
In this episode I once again host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and founder of the Freedom of Mind foundation. Daniel offers his response to Delson’s recent renunciations, warns about the power of self hypnosis, and expl...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 44 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Ron Serrano long time meditation practitioner, contemplative neuroscience subject, and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharmachanics. Ron gives a summary of the major studies in contemplative neuroscience in the last several years, in many of which he was a key subject. Ron explains several historical and ongoing studies including Dr Jud Brewer’s landmark Yale University study into the default mode network, hypotheses about the posterior cing...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’. In this interview, Delson responds to criticism and answers questions about his recent renunciation of attainments and revision of the Buddhist 4 path enlightenment model. Delson reflects on the pros and cons of questioning established religious doctrines and on the role of direct experience in challenging fixed views. Delson comments on a recently leaked in...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 23 min
In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson takes a deep dive into the life and works of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī (1207-1273 AD), a 13th century Sufi poet whose works have become famous all around the world. Professor Dickson recounts the fascinating life of Rūmī, including his flight from Mongol invasion, his e...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 19 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of several books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan’. In this interview, Naomi discusses her latest writing about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Kālacakra tantra, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture promoted by the Dalai Lama. Naomi discusses the doctrine of the dark age known as the...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In this episode I am joined by Dr James Cooke, Oxford-trained neuroscientist, spiritual teacher, and author of “Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive”. James recounts how, at aged 13, an existential crisis driven by fear of hell saw him emerge into a profound mystical opening. James shares the radical changes he experienced and traces his subsequent years spent exploring and integrating this spiritual breakthrough. James recalls his improbable journey to winning a place at Oxford U...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 54 min
In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, I am joined by Radha Krishna Upadhyaya, an astrologer, clairvoyant, Kriya Yogi, & disciple of Tibetan Buddhist master Sakya Trizin. Radha Krishna recalls his birth and childhood in Western Nepal, his traditional Brahmanical education & service to great saints, & initiation into his family’s Kuladevata lineage devoted to Mashta Devata. Radha Krishna recounts details of his years in forest retreat, his practice of Kriya Yoga and Advaita...
Dec 27, 2024•2 hr 26 min
