Mind & Life

In this season opener, producer Phil Walker introduces the Mind & Life Podcast’s new host, health psychologist and contemplative scientist David Creswell. They talk about how David’s research has evolved since his 2023 guest appearance on the podcast, why the hardest moments in meditation may be where the real training happens, and what listeners can expect this season. Then David turns the tables and asks Phil what producing the previous 84 episodes of the podcast has taught him. In this episode: thanking former host Wendy Hasenkamp for 84 episodes over five-plus years an experimental health psychologist working at the boundaries of disciplines mindfulness training for irritable bowel syndrome and the gut microbiome the meditation app revolution, and why so few people keep practicing learning from an app vs. a teacher and a group meditation as “a gym workout, not a massage” equanimity reps and leaning into discomfort scientists, industry, and new conflicts of interest what 84 episodes taught Phil, and his…

Jon Kabat-Zinn didn't invent MBSR as a stress reduction programme. He created it as a way of meeting suffering—individual, collective, planetary—with greater clarity and care. Somewhere in the journey to the mainstream, that wider vision narrowed in the public conception. This episode is, in part, a return to the source. Guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Paula Ramírez Díazgranados and Liane Stephan to explore what mindfulness becomes when it is brought back into relationship with the world: with trauma and conflict, with institutions and food systems, with the tragedy of ecological crisis. Their conversation moves through medicine, humanitarian response and sustainability work, but the deeper thread running through all of it is relational: the question of what contemplative practice can offer when the patient is not only the individual, but the communities and systems we are part of. The result is a wide-ranging and genuinely hopeful conversation about resilience, interdependence and the…

To conclude this mini-series, guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Gretchen Steidle, cathy-mae karelse and Rufus Pollock to step back from individual approaches explored so far and consider the wider field they are collectively helping to shape. As interest in contemplative approaches to social and ecological transformation continues to grow, how do we make sense of a rapidly expanding landscape of people, projects, organisations and ideas? Together, they discuss the importance of mapping emerging fields: not simply to catalogue what exists, but to help practitioners find one another, foster collaboration, identify gaps, and make the field more visible to researchers, funders and institutions. The conversation also explores what it takes for an emerging movement to develop coherence, legitimacy and shared purpose. Bringing the series to a close, it offers a hopeful bird's-eye view of a field that is beginning to recognise itself, and asks what might be needed for its next stage of maturity. cathy-mae…

In this episode of the mini-series on systems change, guest host Jamie Bristow turns the lens around. Rather than beginning with a particular inner approach and asking what it might offer, the conversation starts with the system itself: the patterns, power dynamics and meaning-making structures that shape the crises we face. Joined by Rachel Lilley, Thomas Legrand, and Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman, Jamie explores why contemplative and embodied approaches may be vital not only for shifting deep leverage points such as worldview and values, but also for helping systems practitioners navigate complexity, bias, and uncertainty. From food systems and public policy to AI, Ubuntu, and embodied systems leadership, the discussion ranges widely while staying grounded in a central question: what does it take to work with systems in ways that are more relational, reflective, and transformative? The result is a rich conversation about inner-led change, viewed through a broader systems lens. Thomas Legrand is Lead Advisor for…

In this panel conversation, guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Katrin Kaufer, Martin Kalungu-Banda and Megan Seneque to explore Theory U and the wider field of awareness-based systems change. Developed through the Presencing Institute, Theory U is one of the most widely applied approaches to systems change that explicitly integrates contemplative practice with collective transformation. Together, they examine how this work helps people move beyond habitual responses, deepen the quality of attention and relationship, and create the conditions for new futures to emerge. The conversation ranges from leadership and social innovation to public health, higher education, research, and global systems work, while also asking harder questions about evidence, integrity, access, and scale. The result is a rich and searching exploration of what it means to work with complexity in ways that are rigorous, relational, and open to emergence. Dr. Katrin Kaufer, is co-founding member and managing director of the Presencing…

In the second panel conversation of this mini-series, guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Laura Calderón de la Barca, Kazu Haga and Thomas Hübl to explore the rising significance of trauma healing for systems change. As trauma moves from the margins to the mainstream, the conversation asks what we are really naming when we speak of trauma, and how unprocessed experience shapes not only individual lives, but relationships, communities and whole societies. Together, they reflect on the growing recognition that healing need not be a solitary pursuit, and that collective, systemic and intergenerational approaches may be vital in an age of compounding crises. The result is a thoughtful and far-reaching conversation about whether our capacity to relate wisely to trauma may help determine how we meet the pressures of a rapidly changing and imperiled world. Laura Calderón de la Barca, PhD is a psychotherapist specialized in collective, systemic and intergenerational trauma, as well as a collective healing…

In the first panel conversation of this mini-series, guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Shayontoni Ghosh, Chris Johnstone, Stephanie Kaza and Phoebe Tickell to explore the legacy and living relevance of Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects - a pioneering contemplative process that helps people face ecological and social crisis without shutting down. Together, they reflect on how this work moves from gratitude, grief and reconnection into courage, imagination and action. They examine Joanna’s enduring influence, the evolution of Active Hope, the workshop practices that have touched lives around the world, and the challenge of adapting this work across cultures, generations and institutions. The result is a rich, energising conversation about how inner transformation can strengthen our collective response to a world in trouble. Shayontoni Ghosh is a writer, theatre-maker and facilitator, who is on the staff team at the Work That Reconnects Network. Chris Johnstone is a resilience specialist involved with the…

In this episode, Mind & Life co-producer Phil Walker speaks with writer and policy advisor Jamie Bristow as a prelude to our upcoming mini-series on systems change. Over the coming weeks, Jamie will serve as guest host for five episodes with expert panelists diving into a variety of topics on contemplative based systems change. As our world grows in complexity, we also find ourselves more interconnected than ever with profound challenges that often require cooperation across diverse groups with different values or goals. Systems change refers to efforts to shift the underlying structures, relationships, power dynamics, and mindsets that shape how complex systems behave. These efforts increasingly recognize that inner dimensions—such as awareness, values, and ways of relating—play a critical role in enabling lasting change. In this interview, Jamie shares key concepts of systems change and highlight areas that will be explored throughout the five episodes of the mini-series: The Work that Reconnects:…

Since this podcast launched, Wendy Hasenkamp has guided listeners through 84 in-depth conversations, bringing warmth, curiosity, and intellectual depth to every episode. After five years with the show and over 13 years with the Mind & Life Institute, Wendy is stepping into a new chapter, returning to school and pursuing studies to become a clinical herbalist. While we’ll miss her deeply, we’re excited about this new path for her, where she will surely continue to share her wisdom and guide others toward greater well-being and connection. In this special episode, Mind & Life co-producer Phil Walker sits down with Wendy for a conversation reflecting on her time as host—the insights gained, the themes that emerged, and the questions that continue to inspire her. They cover many topics, including: her own path into contemplative science; finding a home in the Mind & Life community; the dialogue between Buddhism and science; supporting science education for Tibetan monastics; science communication, nuance &…

Enjoy this episode with renowned meditation teacher, author, and creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Jon Kabat-Zinn. This spacious and personal conversation is full of insights on a wide range of topics, including: what drew him to meditation; his development of and vision for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); the mystery of the line between the inside and outside of any system; adapting Buddhist practices for Western audiences; how mindfulness has been taken up in society, and science as a main driver; moving from "me" to "we"; the challenges of repeatability in scientific studies of meditation; weaving together art and science; and how 50+ years of meditation has changed him. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Zen Buddhist teacher and author Roshi Joan Halifax. A pioneer in the field of end-of-life care, Roshi Joan was instrumental in developing the dialogue between science and Buddhism, and has been an advocate for engaged Buddhism, social activism, and compassion in response to today's crises. This conversation covers many topics, including: the birth of dialogues between the Dalai Lama and scientists; how our minds are "enactive"; compassion as emergent and dependent on context; the trainable factors that set the stage for compassion; the importance of embodiment in health care; non-referential compassion; interdependence, compassion, and climate change; working with dying people; how letting go is safe; clinical use of psychedelics; and reflections on the field of contemplative science. Full show notes and resources

In this episode from the Mind & Life archive, Wendy spoke with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many early studies, and has deep expertise in compassion, altruism, and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his roots in both science and Buddhism, and his appreciation for rigorous inquiry; his role as a participant and collaborator in contemplative science; lessons from research on compassion vs. empathy; how the self shows up (or doesn't) in compassion; links between self-focus and vulnerability; hedonia, eudiamonia, and self; altruism and our current crises; reconciling three time scales of concern; sentience, life, and interdependence; caring for our whole interconnected system; the practice of awe; using photography to share basic human goodness; balancing fame and monastic life; and a poignant example of his own personal experience of…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and meditation teacher Liz Monson. Liz is one of the pioneers in combining Buddhist teachings with nature-based practices, and her work helps us connect in an embodied way to the fundamental interconnectedness of the world. This conversation covers many topics, including: how spirituality and connection to nature fed into her path to Buddhism; nature-based practices in the Buddhist tradition; moving beyond human-centrism; the energies of the natural world; the sandcastle of the constructed self; why human beings are really here; lessons about human nature from 9/11; wisdom from the trees; practices to connect with the elements of nature; working with elemental energies to understand emotions; understanding the divine masculine and feminine archetypes; psychedelics and meditation as complementary pathways toward awakening; an experiential approach to suffering and healing; and the need for self-compassion and love. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive and affective scientist Christy Wilson-Mendenhall. Christy has a long history studying emotions, and her work integrates psychological science and contemplative philosophy to explore well-being and resilience. This conversation covers many topics, including: integrating basic science and philosophy with on-the-ground research; viewing emotions as malleable, situated, and learned; working with emotions to enhance well-being; intersections of cognitive science and Buddhist philosophy; the critical role of community and relationships; understanding deep resilience; a free online course to help build resilience and emotional well-being; making worldview explicit; foregrounding interconnectedness when teaching; the power of emotional granularity; eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and solastalgia; the role of imagination and visioning; priming ourselves for a better future; taking seriously and learning from the perspective of marginalized folks; and making small personal changes…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with professor, writer, and thought leader Karen O’Brien. Karen is an expert on the human and social dimensions of climate change, and her work helps us understand the role of the mind and worldview in how we create and respond to environmental change, and global change more broadly. This conversation covers many topics, including: her path into environmental studies and understanding how humans respond to climate change; consequences of a reductionist worldview; understanding quantum social change; entanglement, and relationships as a fundamental aspect of our world; the importance of ethics and values in a system; our power as individuals to change systems; exploring causality and challenging the 'single cause'; why the way we show up matters; how contemplative practice can help us embody transformative change; envisioning a new paradigm; Indigenous wisdom and interconnected views of nature; emotional difficulties in deeply accepting an interconnected reality; acknowledging…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with social neuroscientist and contemplative researcher Tania Singer. Tania is a world leader in studying empathy and compassion, and her pioneering work explores the interpersonal aspects of the brain and contemplative practice. This conversation covers many topics, including: her lifelong fascination with social interactions; foundational studies on empathy in the brain; distinguishing the physical vs. emotional aspects of pain; a chance meeting with Mind & Life and critical insights from a Buddhism-science collaboration; the difference between emotion contagion, empathy, and compassion; exploring the trainability of empathy and compassion; schadenfreude in the brain; empathy burnout and compassion as an antidote; the importance of correlating subjective reports with brain scans; a landmark longitudinal study of training different aspects of meditation; why what you practice really matters; contemplative dyads and the power of practicing with another person; the benefits of…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative scientist Melissa Rosenkranz. Melissa's work examines the mind-body connection with a focus on how inflammation interacts with our brains and emotions, and how meditation might help. This conversation covers many topics, including: her interest in the mind-body connection; pros and cons of inflammation in the body; bidirectional links between inflammation in the body and our emotions; how inflammation can lead to hypersensitivity in the brain; inflammation and dementia; misperceptions around stress causing asthma; meditation's effect on inflammation and our immune response; meditation in asthma management (emotional and physical); studying whether mindfulness can protect against inflammatory damage to the brain; integrating meditation with medication; polarization in society and the power of building weak ties; increasing the safety signal to our bodies; seeing the fuller humanity of the people in our world; lovingkindness practice in action; links between…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with action researcher, changemaker, and thought leader Otto Scharmer. Otto is a world leader in systems change, and his work across disciplines highlights how awareness and the quality of our relationships are critical for the change we need today. This conversation covers many topics, including: regenerative farming, social change movements, and the "social soil"; inspiration from Francisco Varela; presencing and the role of awareness in systems change; three divides that contribute to our current crises; the untold story of regeneration and renewal; action learning and action research; trends towards goodwill and lack of agency; institutions vs. individuals; the blind spot of the mindfulness movement; speaking and listening across ideologies; non-doing, action vs. reaction; the need for holding spaces and building trust; leading by letting go and letting come; releasing old ways of thinking (ego) and shifting to more integrated mindsets (eco); sensing and engaging with future…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with pathologist, scientist, author, and Zen Buddhist, Neil Theise. Neil's pioneering work in human anatomy has revolutionized our understanding of interconnectedness at the level of the body and beyond. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in medicine & Buddhism; pathology as contemplative practice; how a mystery from the wall of the bile duct led to a new understanding of our bodies; overview of the interstitium; how the interstitium may relate to fascia, energy systems, chakras, meridians, and other traditional systems of healing; connecting healing traditions through a cultural interstitium; a meditation to visualize the interstitium; studying living vs. dead tissue; cell doctrine and reductionism; complexity theory and interconnectedness at all scales; Buddhist ideas of emptiness, interdependence, impermanence; randomness in a complex system and adaptability; and the power of an interconnected view. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and cognitive scientist Molly Crockett. Molly is a leader in studying moral cognition, with an emphasis on ethics, knowledge, and power in the digital age. This conversation covers many topics, including: the limits of quantitative (scientific) ways of knowing; the importance of narrative in shaping ideas and behavior; moral outrage on social media; who benefits from a culture of outrage; the role of scientists in our narratives about human nature; how artificial intelligence influences what we consider as human; using artificial intelligence for compassion; a Dalai Lama chatbot vs. the real Dalai Lama; the importance of embodiment in human communication; studying transformative experiences at Burning Man; technology and "Paleolithic" emotions; epistemic injustice; and the critical importance of valuing multiple ways of knowing. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and affective neuroscientist Jim Coan. Jim is a leading researcher on how social connection impacts our minds, brains, and bodies, and he's also pushing the boundaries of impactful science communication. This conversation covers many topics, including: studying relationships and emotions in the brain; how a confusing research finding changed his career; how holding hands impacts our bodies and minds; understanding energy regulation and prediction; social baseline theory; the prefrontal cortex and self-regulation; implications for the default mode network; social support as energetic resources for the body; effects of hand holding on pain processing; introversion and social support; the two things all his students must memorize; the costs and benefits of social interactions; implications for loss of relationship; sense of self, belonging, and the importance of supporting others; communicating science through comics; and surviving—even flourishing—through climate…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychiatrist and mental health researcher Chuck Raison. Chuck’s work centers on understanding how ancient practices can change our conscious experience. He’s a leader in studying the links between inflammation, stress, and depression, and how meditation and other practices can influence those dynamics. This conversation covers many topics, including: ancient practices and conscious experience; Tibetan tummo practice; the role of inflammation in depression; sickness behavior; links between stress and inflammation; the placebo response; psychedelics as a novel treatment for depression; investigating the role of memory in transcendent experiences; body temperature and emotions; and the precious gift of awareness. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative researcher Quinn Conklin. Quinn's research examines the interconnection of mind and body, and the effects of stress and meditation training on biomarkers of health and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: her interest in mind-body connection and how that led her into meditation research; understanding meditation retreats; advantages and challenges of studying meditation in a retreat context; how personality can influence the effects of meditation; telomeres and cell aging, and impacts of stress and meditation; creating safety and support for practice (on retreat); oxytocin and various theories of its function in social connection; effects of meditation retreat on oxytocin; allostasis and prediction; studying community responses to COVID and how meditation provides support; increasing diversity in contemplative science; and making research findings accessible. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychiatrist and contemplative researcher Zev Schuman-Olivier. Zev has been working for more than a decade to integrate mindfulness and compassion into health care, with a focus on addiction, depression, and chronic illness. This conversation covers many topics, including: weaving mindfulness and compassion into clinical settings; lessons from his own experience of chronic illness; the key role of behavior change in health; balancing individual responsibility for health with systemic factors; mindfulness and addiction; making interventions trauma-informed, inclusive, and broadly accessible; how signals from the body help motivate action and emotion; how mindfulness enhances trust in the body and changes the brain in depression; Internal Family Systems and the critical role of acceptance; and next steps for integrating mindfulness and compassion into complex healthcare systems. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with social scientist and meditation teacher Eve Ekman. Eve's work integrates contemplative practice and modern psychology to help people learn about and work with their emotions. This conversation covers many topics, including: her early exposure to Tibetan culture and Buddhism; emotion regulation vs. awareness; reappraisal and self-compassion; labeling feelings & being seen; handshake meditation practice; mapping an emotion: trigger, experience, and response; the complexity of what shapes each moment; becoming more sensitive through meditation; constructive vs. destructive emotions, and the complexities of anger; understanding equanimity; leveraging technology to help awareness and tracking of emotions; helping Apple incorporate well-being practices into its platforms; teaching meditation through the Cultivating Emotional Balance program; the Atlas of Emotion (free online resource); and life lessons from surfing. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative neuroscientist Dave Vago. Dave has been studying the brain, meditation, and the self for over two decades, and has developed several models of how mindfulness might work from cognitive and neurobiological perspectives. This conversation covers many topics, including: his intertwined interests in brain, mind, self, philosophy, and religion; the temporal nature of memory; mindfulness for fibromyalgia and chronic pain; unconscious attentional bias; sticky thoughts and how they change with meditation; the role of the self in contemplative practice (S-ART model); meta-awareness and decentering; the centrality of inhibitory control in contemplative practice; dissolving the self/other divide; integrating wisdom to create meaning; how meditation can shift attentional bias at very early levels of processing; the deeply interconnected nature of brain function; self-pattern theory and (in)flexibility in the mind; mindfulness and the glymphatic system, and implications…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medical doctor Tawni Tidwell. Tawni's research focuses on living—and dying—with greater awareness and well-being, and integrates multiple biological and cultural perspectives on mind-body systems. This conversation covers many topics, including: merging interests in biology, culture, ecology, nature, and medicine; how our minds shape our bodies; the holistic approach of Tibetan medicine; understanding constitutions and individual proclivities; the subtle body and consciousness; studying monastics who are able to extend the death process (Tukdam project); implications for life, death, and the nature of consciousness; individual differences and determining which practices might be best for someone; studying Tibetan medicine's approach to treating COVID; and coming back to our bodies, our communities, and our environments. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and trauma researcher Brian Dias. Brian is one of the pioneers in understanding how trauma can be transferred between generations. Research in this space has helped fuel a major revolution in biology, because itmeans that not just our genes, but some aspects of our experiences can be inherited. This conversation covers many topics, including: his path into studying trauma; how trauma can pass through generations; links with the Buddhist concept of karma; understanding epigenetics & the interplay between genes and environment; implications for inheritance and evolution; whether such intergenerational transmission is helpful or harmful; epigenetic clocks in our cells; how trauma affects brain development; sociocultural, developmental, and biological pathways for transmission of experiences; creating legacies of flourishing; lessons learned from collaborating with Tibetan monastics; providing resources to parents to try to halt legacies of trauma; impacts of…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and mental health researcher Jyoti Mishra. Jyoti has been investigating how mindfulness and attention training affect our brains, and can help in the context of mental health challenges related to climate disasters and other trauma. This conversation covers many topics, including: her intertwined interests in neuroscience, meditation, and mental health; understanding climate trauma and its unique impacts on mental health; community resilience and action in the face of disaster; the rise of mental health issues worldwide; studying the mental health and brain function impacts of the deadliest fire in CA history; healing broken relationships with nature through mindfulness and ecotherapy; social justice issues around climate vulnerability; how childhood adversity affects brain circuitry for emotional awareness; developing contemplative tech interventions for disadvantaged youth, and impacts on brain and daily life functioning; nature and the sense of self;…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and contemplative researcher Simon Goldberg. Simon uses tools drawn from psychotherapy research to better understand the therapeutic processes and outcomes of mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. This conversation covers many topics, including: coming to practice through one's own suffering; what we know from science about whether and how meditation "works;" the nuts and bolts of meditation research, and the importance of control groups; the file drawer effect and publishing negative findings; common factors in healing interventions; working with the self in psychotherapy vs. Buddhism; the critical role of acceptance; some challenges when measuring effects of meditation; individualizing contemplative practice to suit the person; delivering and studying meditation interventions through apps; and the possibilities of AI to help support meditation practice. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with educational leader, writer, and climate activist Diana Chapman Walsh. Diana had a long and successful career in public health at Boston and Harvard University, and then became the president of Wellesley College, a position she held for 14 years. Diana has become an icon in educational leadership, and advocates that education can be both an intellectual and a spiritual journey. This conversation covers many topics, including: her path into contemplative practice and leadership; the importance of knowing and questioning oneself; vulnerability and responsibility in leadership; how the qualities of a leader influence the system they are leading; hierarchical vs. inclusive systems; the five principles of trustworthy leadership; interconnectedness as an underlying truth; building community amidst the climate crisis; how feedback loops can accelerate harm or spur change; and encouragement to tell our stories. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and author Daniel Goleman. Dan has been fostering and contributing to contemplative science since the very early days of the conversation between science and Buddhism, and his long experience with meditation helped shape his notable work on emotional intelligence. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in both Western and Asian systems of mind; his relationship with the Dalai Lama and involvement in Mind & Life dialogues; how the conversation between science and Buddhism has influenced both sides; when emotions become "destructive;" the birth of contemplative science; social emotional learning (SEL) in education; links between emotional intelligence and contemplative science; "McMindfulness" and the varying goals of practice; nonconceptual states and dissolving the self; navigating the complexities of science communication; the latest research on emotional intelligence in organizations; how awareness is (or isn't) showing up in the world;…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist Robin Nusslock. Robin has long been interested in the mind through both scientific and Buddhist lenses, and he trained with Richie Davidson. His work focuses on the brain's role in our emotional life, how stress impacts many of our bodily systems, as well as social determinants of health. This conversation covers many topics, including: his long interest in mind & Buddhism; basic pathways of how stress gets into the body; how the brain learns threat and safety; effects of early life trauma on brain and behavior; our brain's reward systems and relevance to Buddhist ideas; craving and addiction; pathways toward change, neuroplasticity and pause; social and environmental determinants of health; epigenetics and intergenerational trauma; biology is not destiny; how we can intervene and promote flourishing; family-level interventions; reducing exposure to adversity; economic interventions (e.g., universal basic income); teaching science and research to Tibetan…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with philosopher and cognitive scientist Hanne De Jaegher. Hanne was influenced by Francisco Varela's ideas from an early age, and has been working to extend enactive theories of mind into social contexts. This conversation covers many topics, including: roots in Varela's work and an early interest in thinking; sense-making and embodiment as foundational to cognition; how our habits and models fit (or don't) with our experience; participatory sense-making and the primacy of interaction; how interpersonal dynamics can have a life of their own; loving and knowing, letting others be; over- vs. underdetermining (how our projections of others shape interactions); emotional capacity and dementia; understanding autistic people from their own side; the need for people in dominant positions to listen; the importance of silence in dialogue; problems with the way social media platforms discourage interaction; interactions within one person; synthesis and breakdown; tension between self and…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with musician, contemplative, researcher, and activist Grant Jones. Grant is working to develop and implement contemplative and liberatory tools for underserved populations. This conversation covers many topics, including: blending music, psychology, contemplation, and activism; music and mindfulness for healing race-based anxiety; collaborating with Lama Rod Owens, Esperanza Spalding, and others; the absence of research on black music; music medicine vs. music therapy; pleasure activism as a form of disruption; balancing structure and freedom; the Black Lotus Collective; links between psychedelics and meditation; potential benefits and harm of psychedelic treatment, and how race plays in; the power of music to transcend language and culture; balancing identity with non-self; and letting go, having fun, and not being too serious. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychosocial oncology researcher Linda Carlson. Linda has pioneered the application of mindfulness and contemplative practice for cancer patients, focusing on both psychological and biological outcomes. This conversation covers many topics, including: her path to integrating psychology, mindfulness, and cancer; early clinical trials and positive outcomes; how and why meditation can help with the stress of cancer; problems with battle metaphors related to cancer; opportunities to re-evaluate self and identity; connecting with boundlessness and interdependence; living well vs. living long; study design and control groups in meditation research; effects of mindfulness on cellular aging (telomeres); media coverage of meditation research; the power of preference in interventions; sneak preview of gene expression results; impacts on inflammation; increasing accessibility and diversity; working towards structural change in health care; and building an academic society for…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with social psychologist and contemplative researcher Paul Condon. Paul's work integrates psychological theory with the Buddhist contemplative tradition, looking at meditation through the lens of attachment theory. This conversation covers many topics, including: his long interest in the intersection between Buddhism and psychology; measuring compassion in the real world; meditation's effects on prosocial behavior and relating to suffering; barriers to compassion; the relevance of vulnerability and safety to compassion; understanding secure and insecure attachment; shifting our attachment style: how contemplative practice can help develop our secure base; security as adaptability; limitations of viewing meditation as self-help and individual effort; the relational starting point of meditation; open vs. closed secular contexts; identifying a caring moment or benefactor; the power of mental simulation; changes he's noticed from practice; and what these practices can offer in our…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive scientist, contemplative practitioner, and ballet dancer Marieke Van Vugt. Marieke is a pioneer in studying mind wandering and meditation through computer modeling, and is also advancing participatory research through her collaborations with Tibetan monastics. This conversation covers many topics, including: her braided interests in meditation, dance, and cognitive science; computer modeling of mind and meditation; exploring distraction, mind wandering, and becoming aware; how thoughts can get "stuck" in our minds; creating a meditating computer; the relevance of stuck thoughts to various mental disorders; trauma through the lens of predictive models of mind; analytical meditation and Tibetan monastic debate; collaborating with monastics in research; humility and fluidity of mind; re-thinking the tasks used in cognitive science; the phenomenon of brain synchrony; dance and embodiment; the roots of thinking in the body; problems with abstraction in science;…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with gastroenterologist, author, and microbiome researcher Emeran Mayer. Emeran is a world renowned expert in the connections between the gut and the mind, and brings a biological lens to the concept of interconnection. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in mind-body connection; microbiome overview & current questions; how we've inherited systems of communication from microbes; gut-brain connections, and the concept of the "second brain"; how meditation might affect our microbes; gut-immune connections; the importance of barriers, and what goes wrong in "leaky gut"; barrier compromise as common core of nearly all chronic disorders; stress and diet as key factors affecting our gut permeability; what we can do to protect our gut; equity issues around healthy food access; the gut as a sense organ; reductions in the diversity of microbes on the planet; the role of antibiotics and environmental destruction; development of the microbiome in pregnancy and…

To begin our seventh season, Wendy speaks with contemplative educator and developmental psychologist Rob Roeser. Rob has been working to re-envision the educational system for decades, and has been at the forefront of understanding how we can best integrate mindfulness and compassion into school settings. This conversation covers many topics, including: his initial exposure to integrative school systems; educating for life, instead of just participation in the global economy; focus on the body, nature, and our inherent "earthiness"; studying schools in India that integrate meditation; integrating science and viewing contemplative practice as building skills; applying a developmental lens to contemplative education; the key role of educating adults alongside children; changing culture and norms; how social processes drive the development of attention in children; our innate tendencies towards both compassion and othering; attention training as a relational practice; the relevance of a secure base; leveraging…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with lawyer, activist, and restorative justice expert sujatha baliga. sujatha’s work reimagines our current legal and justice system in the United States, and emphasizes the full humanity of both those who experience harm and those who cause it. This conversation covers many topics, including: growing up with sexual abuse, and the impacts it had; meeting with the Dalai Lama, and his transformational advice; the power of lovingkindness; her choice to be a public defender; responsibility & causes and conditions; holding two competing ideas simultaneously; problems with the traditional legal system; the paradigm shift of restorative justice; integrating contemplative practice into the process of restorative justice; the role of the self in the experience of harm; how we need to shift our language around labeling people; reflections on forgiveness and justice; and next steps for the movement. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and pain researcher Fadel Zeidan. Fadel is one of the leading experts on understanding how mindfulness and other contemplative practices can be used to help relieve physical pain and promote well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in self, consciousness, mindfulness and the brain; bringing mindfulness to special education classrooms; historical use of mindfulness for pain; intensity vs. unpleasantness of pain; his early work showing that mindfulness induces pain relief; making mindfulness training more accessible; looking into the brain during pain; using "fake meditation" in research; understanding our natural opiate system and its role in pain relief; bringing rigor to research with placebo controls; the relationship of physical pain to more complex psychological pain; working with families of children who were killed by gun violence; studying psychedelics for phantom limb pain; role of the default mode network in pain and…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and contemplative educator and researcher Brendan Ozawa-de Silva. Brendan has been studying and teaching mindfulness and compassion for over a decade, and has lately been focusing on integrating trauma-informed and embodied practices into his work. This conversation covers many topics, including: his interest in contemplation (and an introduction to the Japanese practice of Naikan); adapting contemplative training to a variety of settings; the capacity of young people for compassion, mindfulness, and conceptual frames; what's missing in contemplative research; empathy/compassion as something that arises between people; the embeddedness of researchers in the systems they study; the SEE Learning program; trauma in the body & nervous system regulation; understanding different forms of trauma; healing and forgiveness; barriers to compassion, misunderstandings about the meaning of compassion; how the world is built on compassion; and new teaching endeavors with…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with University of Washington vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Ed Taylor. Ed has made major contributions in the areas of contemplative education and leadership, with a focus on moral and integrative education and social justice. This conversation covers many topics, including: growing up embedded in community and giant sequoias; learning to be still with the mind; teaching meditation amidst anger dysregulation; embodying contemplative skills in the classroom; the gap between our mind's story and our body in the moment; the relevance of contemplation to wise and effective leadership; moving from ego-system to ecosystem awareness (systems thinking); implementing systems change in university settings; normalizing failure and modeling vulnerability; letting students lead in defining the community they want; imagining the world you want to live in when things are not OK (reflections on the days after George Floyd was killed); understanding critical race…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with social psychologist and contemplative researcher David Creswell. David has been studying the effects of meditation on stress and resilience for over a decade, and has conducted some of the most rigorous studies to date investigating which aspects of mindfulness interventions bring benefit. This conversation covers many topics, including: integrating psychology and Buddhism since high school; understanding stress and resilience; acceptance and equanimity in mindfulness; bringing scientific rigor to the study of mindfulness through dismantling trials; effects of equanimity on the stress response and positive emotions; how contemplative skills spill over from the cushion into daily life; how practice changes the brain and why those changes matter; a risky study with a president's daughter; the promise of apps to deliver mindfulness; how acceptance differs from passive resignation; and viewing biology and psychology as two sides of the same coin. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with biological anthropologist and contemplative researcher Jenny Mascaro. Jenny's work weaves together meditation, compassion, psychology, and healthcare, and moves us toward a deeper understanding of interconnectedness. This conversation covers many topics, including: her interest in social cognition in animals - and humans; what compassion is, and how it's different from empathy; biological basis of compassion, and the role of oxytocin; how social factors and context shape compassion; training compassion and the skills underlying it; understanding self-compassion; the under-appreciated role of hospital chaplains; compassion training for chaplains; preparing for interpersonal interactions; how compassion shows up in language; how compassionate care can help anxiety and depression; responding to healthcare provider stress; how meditation has changed her; and building awareness of interdependence. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative health psychologist and stress researcher Elissa Epel. Elissa studies how mindfulness, meditation retreats, and breathing techniques can help buffer stress processes, biological aging, and promote both physical and mental health. This conversation covers many topics, including: her early roots of interest in the mind-body connection; bringing contemplation into health and stress psychology research; two key aspects of stress; learning to deal with uncertainty; uncertainty in the body; acute vs. chronic stress response; why we might want to intentionally induce acute stress to boost our health; cell aging systems (telomeres); contemplative practices as a way to reduce stress; how our minds influence our cells; the concept of cellular safety; rest, retreat, and vacation; how contemplative benefits can transfer to the next generation; what it means to have a sensitive nervous system; and the importance of focusing on joy and gratitude. Full show notes and…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many early studies, and has deep expertise in compassion, altruism, and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his roots in both science and Buddhism, and his appreciation for rigorous inquiry; his role as a participant and collaborator in contemplative science; lessons from research on compassion vs. empathy; how the self shows up (or doesn't) in compassion; links between self-focus and vulnerability; hedonia, eudiamonia, and self; altruism and our current crises; reconciling three time scales of concern; sentience, life, and interdependence; caring for our whole interconnected system; the practice of awe; using photography to share basic human goodness; balancing fame and monastic life; and a poignant example of his own personal experience of care. Full show notes and…

In this episode, Wendy speaks with mindful policy advocate and contemplative teacher Jamie Bristow. Jamie co-directs the Mindfulness Initiative in the UK, an organization that bridges contemplative practice and public policy, championing the inner dimension of social change. This conversation covers many topics, including: why he first started meditating and the surprise that came with it; his commitment to climate work; integrating advertising talent into policy work; mindfulness in the UK government; development of the Mindfulness Initiative; the nuts and bolts of mindful policy work; policy advances in health, criminal justice, and education; mindfulness as a foundational capacity (not just a skill); how the mind relates to the climate crisis; consequences of our failure to see the interconnectedness in the world; how mindfulness and compassion can help with reconnection; two modes of operating (holistic intuitive vs. verbal conceptual); and where to go from here. Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist and contemplative Amy Cohen Varela. In addition to her work as a psychoanalytic therapist, Amy is also the widow of Francisco Varela (co-founder of the Mind & Life Institute), and continues to share his vision and work through the offerings of Mind & Life Europe. This conversation covers many topics, including: her dual interest in biology and literature; the contemplative aspects of psychoanalysis; skills learned from listening deeply to yourself and to others; how she met Francisco Varela; enaction, meaning, and participatory sense-making; links between Francisco's ideas and Buddhist philosophy; subjective and objective viewpoints, and how we oversimplify Buddhism and science in that dynamic; how more than a decade with Francisco has changed her; the power of curiosity and openness; doing and undoing the self in psychoanalysis; Francisco's reflections on the Chilean civil war, and implications for polarization; the need for systems to be able to…