Title: Is Mindful Democracy the Solution? An interview with Jeremy Engels

Date: 11/26/25

Name of podcast: Thrivology Lab

Episode title and number: #28 Is Mindful Democracy the Solution? An interview with Jeremy Engels

Brief summary of episode: In this episode we talk with scholar Jeremy Engels about his forthcoming book, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mind a Fractured World. Could it be the solution to the democratic dysfunction we see around us? Tune in to find out!

Bullet points of key topics + chapter markers

Topic #1 [0:00] Intro.

Topic #2 [2:30] What is Mindful Democracy?

Topic #3 [8:00] What inspired you to write this book now?

Topic #4 [10:00] The politics of resentment and blame

Topic #5 [14:00] Make good use of your suffering, No mud No lotus

Topic #6 [21:00] The only way out is in. How do we manage this difficult time?

Topic #7 [27:00] Five agreements to ground us when talking about controversial issues

Topic #8 [34:00] Civic education: what is needed?

Topic #9 [40:00] Friendship vs Enemyship

Topic #10 [48:00] Your connection with Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village?

References & Resources:

https://cas.la.psu.edu/people/jeremy-engels/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804671/on-mindful-democracy-by-jeremy-engels/

https://plumvillage.org/

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