Mystic-Skeptic Radio: Uncensored/Raiders of the Unknown

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In this week's show our guest is Dr. Brenda Shoshanna, psychologist, author and workshop leader, who provides therapy to individuals and couples who wish to find relief from stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and more.She has been in private practice in New York for over 30 years, and is a best-selling author who has been published in over 13 languages. Dr. Shoshanna has provided over 500 talks and workshops on all aspects of relationships, personal and spiritual development and creating authentic peace of mind.The topic of our program is the relationship between American Jews and Eastern thought especially Buddhism. Dr. Shoshanna is the author of 11 books including Jewish Dharma which focuses on common issues that introduce disorder to our lives and how the intersection of Judaism and Zen Buddhism can help find understanding, meaning, and a life grounded in these authentic faiths.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

In this week's show our guest is Dr. Brenda Shoshanna, psychologist, author and workshop leader, who provides therapy to individuals and couples who wish to find relief from stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and more.She has been in private practice in New York for over 30 years, and is a best-selling author who has been published in over 13 languages. Dr. Shoshanna has provided over 500 talks and workshops on all aspects of relationships, personal and spiritual development and creating authentic peace of mind.

The topic of our program is the relationship between American Jews and Eastern thought especially Buddhism. Dr. Shoshanna is the author of 11 books including Jewish Dharma which focuses on common issues that introduce disorder to our lives and how the intersection of Judaism and Zen Buddhism can help find understanding, meaning, and a life grounded in these authentic faiths.

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In this week’s show our guest is Dr. Jay Michaelson author of Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment. The topic of our program is the relationship between American Jews and Buddhism. We also discussed buddhist principles and what different spiritualities have in common.Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of six books and over three hundred articles on religion, sexuality, law, and contemplative practice. He is a columnist for The Daily Beast and the Forward newspaper, and is a frequent commentator on NPR, MSNBC, and online. In his ‘other’ career, Jay is an affiliated assistant professor at Chicago Theological Seminary, teaches meditation in Jewish and Theravadan Buddhist lineages, and holds nondenominational rabbinic ordination.During the interview he shares his knowledge about the different types of Buddhism that are popular with American audiences. In the last couple of decades meditation and yoga have become more acceptable even among conservative and some traditional Jews. Many books have been written on the subject such as ” The Jew and The Lotus” by Rodger Kamenetz and “Jewish Dharma” by Brenda Shoshana. I see the relationship between Jews and Buddhism as a great opportunity for interfaith dialogue, something that it has been limited so far.There are many concepts in Buddhism that can be compared to Western forms of worship such as zazen (meditation), koan(story telling), midfulness, nondoing, silence and renunciation. Dr. Michaelson defines Dharma as wisdom, compassion and action. We also discussed traditional Kabbalah and how the three Abrahamic faiths have a mystical component that at time gets ignored. Many progressive Jews relate mystical Judaism to Eastern Thought, however he sees this as disingenuous at times. Through the program Dr. Michaelson, who is also a rabbi, shares his views of religious observance and Jewish practice; especially as mindful meditation has influenced the way American Jews relate to their personal spirituality.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

Send us Fan Mail

"‘Christianity’ under its various names had been thriving for centuries before that. As we may now appreciate, it was the more original cult that was driven underground by the combined efforts of the Roman, Jewish, and ecclesiastical authorities; it was the supreme “heresy” which came on, made terms with the secular powers, and became the Church of today." (Allegro, XX)During our third show we discussed the above book and explored some of its assertions. One topic addressed on our podcast is Allegro’s obsession with sexualizing the Bible, another one is his portrayal of the “Yachad” or the community of Qumran, as Gnostics Christians not apocalyptic Jews as they were. On one side of the debate David discussed the lack of evidence regarding biblical figures creating potions or amulets. In support of the book claims Ryan discussed the parallels between ancient religions and the use of plants and fungi by indigenous groups. According to the majority of scholars the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls were extremely religious individuals who were more extrict than the Pharisees. Their community was interested in internalizing rules and regulations of the Torah which forbid the practice of the magical arts (Exodus 22.17).Another aspect of the conversation is the idea that anyone can be a mystic or a prophet, which is unique to Christianity. An article in “Christianity Today” about Mormonism discusses how that religion is becoming very popular in Africa because in that culture it is common for people to proclaim themselves as prophets without any mitigation of religious institutions to sanction their religious experiences.

Support the show

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

Send us Fan Mail

" ‘Christianity’ under its various names had been thriving for centuries before that. As we may now appreciate, it was the more original cult that was driven underground by the combined efforts of the Roman, Jewish, and ecclesiastical authorities; it was the supreme “heresy” which came on, made terms with the secular powers, and became the Church of today." (Allegro, XX)During our third show we discussed the above book and explored some of its assertions. One topic addressed on our podcast is Allegro’s obsession with sexualizing the Bible, another one is his portrayal of the “Yachad” or the community of Qumran, as Gnostics Christians not apocalyptic Jews as they were. On one side of the debate David discussed the lack of evidence regarding biblical figures creating potions or amulets. In support of the book claims Ryan discussed the parallels between ancient religions and the use of plants and fungi by indigenous groups. According to the majority of scholars the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls were extremely religious individuals who were more extrict than the Pharisees. Their community was interested in internalizing rules and regulations of the Torah which forbid the practice of the magical arts (Exodus 22.17).Another aspect of the conversation is the idea that anyone can be a mystic or a prophet, which is unique to Christianity. An article in “Christianity Today” about Mormonism discusses how that religion is becoming very popular in Africa because in that culture it is common for people to proclaim themselves as prophets without any mitigation of religious institutions to sanction their religious experiences.

Support the show

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

Send us Fan Mail

The Mystic-Skeptic Podcast was present at The First Annual Herbal Synergy Conference last year which featured Rosemary Gladstar. We interviewed her at The WUTZ FM Radio Studio during the Conference held at the Farm intentional community. Ms. Gladstar is a pioneer in the herbal movement and has been called the ‘godmother of American Herbalism’. She began over 35 years ago developing herbal formulas in her herb shop, Rosemary’s Garden in Sonoma County, California. She is the founder of the California School of Herbal Studies, the oldest running herb school in the United States, author of The Science and Art of Herbalism home study course, and is the organizer of the International Herb Symposium and The New England Women’s Herbal Conference held annually in NE. Rosemary lives and works from her home, Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, a 500 acre botanical preserve in central Vermont.

Support the show

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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During our first show we discuss the social and spiritual roots of the hippie movement with our original producer Rick Diamond who shares the fascinating history of The Farm radio station WUTZ 88.3 of the FM dial in Summertown, TN. He also conveys the evolution of progressive politics which came from a group of social maverics called the Diggers in Europe in the 17th century.

Support the show

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…