The Lion’s Roar Podcast

By Lion’s Roar Foundation

Religion & Spirituality Buddhism

What's The Lion’s Roar Podcast about?

Meditations, interviews, dharma talks and features from Lion's Roar Magazine and Buddhadharma: The Practioner's Quarterly.

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LAST EPISODE

Death and What Really Matte...

09.30.2023

Internal medicine physician and founder of the End Well Project, Shoshana Ungerlieder talks about the taboo of death and dying among medical professionals and the importance of taking time to ask what really matters to you and your loved ones, ...

The Lion’s Roar Podcast episodes:

09.30.2023 Death and What Really Matters with Shoshana Ungerlieder Internal medicine physician and founder of the End Well Project, Shoshana Ungerlieder talks about the taboo of death and dying among medical professionals and the importance of taking time to ask what really matters to you and your loved ones, ...
09.16.2023 Barbie's Journey to Enlightenment with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong New York Times bestselling author and pop culture writer, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, talks about the film’s unexpected lessons in suffering impermanence, and awakening.
08.19.2023 Women of Wisdom with Lama Tsultrim Allione Buddhist teacher, author, and founder of Tara Mandala retreat center, Lama Tsultrim Allione, talks with Lion's Roar magazine's editor Andrea Miller about the meaning — and urgency — of embracing the sacred feminine as a way to resist the destructive ...
08.05.2023 The Woman Who Married the Buddha with Shyam Selvadurai Award winning Sri-Lankan Canadian novelist and author of Funny Boy, talks about his latest historical fiction, Mansions of the Moon—the difficult and creative process of using fact and imagination to create an intimate tale of the Buddha’s wife, her relationship ...
07.22.2023 Theravada in Everyday Life with Brooke Schedneck Religious studies professor Brooke Schedneck is the author of Living Theravada: Demystifying the People, Places, and Practices of a Buddhist Tradition. She talks about Theravada Buddhism in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, from ordinary lay people to elite monks.
07.08.2023 Enlightenment is an Accident with Tim Burkett Psychologist and teacher Tim Burkett was ordained in 1978, but his path began in 1964, when he met Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, the famed author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. He talks about learning the nature of enlightenment from Suzuki Roshi, ...
06.24.2023 Mindfulness in Your Workplace with Stacy McClendon Teacher and co-founder of the BIPOC Sangha at Common Ground Meditation Center, Stacy McClendon talks about how mindfulness can transform the way we think about how we work.
06.10.2023 Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition w. Rima Vesely-Flad Visiting professor of Buddhism and Black Studies at Union Theological Seminary, and author of Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation, Rima Vesely-Flad talks about her book on the connection between ...
05.27.2023 Hilma af Klint and the Five Buddha Families with Kevin Townley Writer, filmmaker, actor, singer, and meditation teacher, Kevin Townley talks about his latest book featuring women whose work exemplifies each of the five wisdom energies in Tibetan Buddhism, how the energies can show up in daily life, and how the ...
05.13.2023 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel From her first encounter with Zen to her life as a poet, Black activist, and Zen teacher in Suzuki Roshi’s lineage, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel shares her journey and how it has been informed by the wisdom of Zen Mind, Beginner’s ...
04.29.2023 The New Wave of Mindfulness with Christiane Wolf Former physician, and internationally known mindfulness and Insight meditation teacher, Christiane Wolf is well versed in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and classical Buddhist mindfulness. Wolf talks about the early days of the modern mindfulness movement, how Insight and mindfulness communities ...
04.15.2023 Travel as a Spiritual Experience with Pico Iyer Pico Iyer, author of dozens of books including The Lady and the Monk and The Art of Stillness, talks to Lion’s Roar editor in chief Melvin McLeod about the profound wonder that travel invites, how he came to cherish the ...
04.01.2023 Medicine for Internalized Racism with Karla Jackson-Brewer Karla Jackson-Brewer is a senior teacher with the Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center, and longtime student of Lama Tsultrim Allione. In this conversation, Lion’s Roar’s Pamela Ayo Yetunde Talks to her about internalized racism and the medicine Buddhism can offer ...
03.18.2023 The Secret to Happiness with Robert Waldinger Psychiatrist and Zen teacher Robert Waldinger directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development—a 75 year-long study on happiness, spanning lifetimes. He speaks with Lion’s Roar’s Melvin McLeod about the nature of happiness as found in the study, and how it ...
03.04.2023 Kinship and Community with Pamela Ayo Yetunde Through the metaphor of Indra’s Net, Lion’s Roar’s associate editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde calls for a “compassion revolution” in her new book, Casting Indra's Net: Fostering Spiritual Kinship and Community. She talks with fellow LR editor Noel Alumit about the ...
02.18.2023 The Dharma of Harriet Tubman with Spring Washam Lion’s Roar’s Pamela Ayo Yetunde talks to Spring Washam, author of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground about the power of calling upon the spirit of this veritable bodhisattva to heal the particular wounds of American injustice ...
02.04.2023 The Practice of Writing with Natalie Goldberg Zen practitioner, painter, and author of fifteen books, Natalie Goldberg talks to Lion’s Roar editor Andrea Miller about how writing can be a practice of studying your mind.
01.21.2023 The Evolution of the Mindfulness Movement with Diana Winston Author of The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering Your Natural Awareness, and co-author of Fully present: The Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness, Diana Winston is one of the best-known teachers of mindfulness in the United ...
01.07.2023 New Year’s Prayers from Roshi Joan Halifax and Leigh Brasington on The Path to Peace by Ayya Khema Roshi Joan Halifax, Upaya Zen Center founder and head teacher, offers two prayers for the New Year–or any time of the year. Then, the editor of a posthumous release from the trailblazing modern Buddhist nun and teacher, Ayya Khema, talks ...
12.24.2022 The Eightfold Path Adult Graphic Novel with Steven Barnes, Charles Johnson and Bryan Moss This Buddhist, Afrofuturist comic book co-authored by Steven Barnes and Charles Johnson and illustrated by Bryan Moss, is an anthology of interconnected parables inspired by the teachings of Buddha. Together with Lion’s Roar’s Pamela Ayo Yetunde, its creators discuss the ...
12.10.2022 Why We Meditate with Tsokyni Rinpoche and Daniel Goleman Exactly what is meditation good for? What does it do? Daniel Goleman and Tsokyni Rinpoche talk about their new book Why We Meditate: The Science and Practice of Clarity and Compassion.
11.26.2022 Calm Abiding and the Divine Abodes with Lama Tsomo Buddhist teacher Lama Tsomo talks about her new book, Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection, shamatha meditation, the four prized emotions referred to as the “Divine Abodes,” and how to find your own Buddhist teacher, including a “calm abiding” meditation.
11.12.2022 The Trauma of Caste with Thenmozhi Soundararajan Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Dalit civil rights organizer and author of the forthcoming book, The Trauma of Caste, speaks with Lion’s Roar associate editor Noel Alumit about being classified as “untouchable,” how caste oppression relates to civil rights in the Western world, ...
10.29.2022 Being Open to What Works for You with Mushim Patricia Ikeda East Bay Meditation Center teacher Mushim Patricia Ikeda is thinking about death. Having practiced Korean and Japanese Zen, and Vipassana, she now finds new wisdom on the end of life via the Vajrayana tradition. This piqued the interest of Lion’s ...
10.15.2022 Mindfulness of Race with Ruth King Founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, and author of Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out, Ruth King talks to Lion’s Roar Associate Editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde about the Brave Space program, how to approach talking about ...
10.01.2022 The Practice of Meditation with Yung Pueblo Diego Perez is the name behind the New York Times bestselling book, Clarity and Connection, written under the pen name, Yung Pueblo. His upcoming book Lighter, promises a “radically compassionate plan for turning inward and lifting the heaviness that prevents ...
09.17.2022 That Bird Has My Wings book review and The Buddhist Enneagram with Susan Piver New York Times bestselling author Susan Piver takes a well-known typology of personality types, and applies Buddhist principles to demonstrate how it can provide support on the path to deeper compassion for yourself and others. Then, Rod Meade Sperry reads ...
09.03.2022 We're Not Who You Think We Are with Chenxing Han Author of Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists, Chenxing Han reads her article examining the stereotypes that have marginalized Asian American Buddhists, and the rich diversity of a new generation of practitioners.
08.20.2022 Beauty in the Bittersweet with Susan Cain and ‘Not Enlightened Yet’ by Miguel Chen Sad music, rainy days–there’s beauty in the bittersweet state of mind. It can also teach us about creativity, compassion, leadership, spirituality, mortality and love. Lion’s Roar associate editor Chris Pacheco talks with Susan Cain about the surprising lessons we can ...
08.06.2022 The Breath Is Your Partner with Trudy Goodman Mindfulness is effective when used properly, but the deep techniques of the Buddhist form of meditation known as Insight (or Vipassana) are truly the heart of mindfulness practice, and often go unaddressed. Trudy Goodman, Founder of InsightLA, talks about breath ...
07.23.2022 Racism, Suffering, and the Joy of Freedom with Kamilah Majied Dr. Kamilah Majied is an expert on building inclusivity and equity using meditative practices. She talks to Lion’s Roar’s Pamela Ayo Yetunde about internalized racism in America, the nature of suffering, how to triumph over that suffering as a racialized ...
07.09.2022 Connecting to Nature with Larry Ward, and Roe v. Wade with Roshi Joan Halifax Larry Ward, student of Thich Nhat Hanh, shares four everyday practices to better connect with the natural world. Then, Roshi Joan Halifax offers some words of encouragement for all those reeling after the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
06.25.2022 Wisdom and Suffering with Brother Phap Hai Senior student of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and author of Nothing to It: Ten Ways to Be at Home with Yourself, Brother Phap Hai talks about the connection between suffering and wisdom.
06.11.2022 Coping with Racism and Guided Metta with Phoenix Soleil Insight Meditation teacher Phoenix Soleil talks to Pamela Ayo Yetunde about dealing with racism, and how metta practice can help get you through.
05.28.2022 Fear and Knowing How to Be Satisfied with Koshin Paley Ellison Fear can lead us to do regretful, hateful, and even violent things. Lion’s Roar’s new online course Medicine for Fear, inspired by Zen teacher Eihei Dogen’s essential instructions for awakening, offers a way to minimize fear’s impact on us—featuring Koshin ...
05.14.2022 Death and What Really Matters with Shoshana Ungerlieder Internal medicine physician and founder of the End Well Project, Shoshana Ungerlieder talks about the taboo of death and dying among medical professionals and the importance of taking time to ask what really matters to you and your loved ones, ...
04.30.2022 Black Male Vulnerability in Buddhist Community with Willie Mukei Shoman Smith, SoOn Eli Brown-Stevenson, and Malik Watkins Black, male-identified people have experiences in Buddhist communities that are markedly different than that of the majority–not only physically standing out in the group but facing unique internal questions and struggles. Willie Mukei Shoman Smith, SoOn Eli Brown-Stevenson, and Malik ...
04.16.2022 Mindful Money with Spencer Sherman Author of The Cure for Money Madness, Spencer Sherman talks about how one can grow spiritually while still engaging with money. Then Lion’s Roar editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod and deputy editor Andrea Miller discuss the latest issue of Lions Roar magazine, ...
04.02.2022 Pema Chodron’s Four Keys to Waking Up with Andrea Miller With Lion’s Roar’s free “Wisdom of Pema Chodron” Summit about to launch, we’re sharing Andrea Miller’s story abouts Pema Chodron and her advice on how to “walk the walk” of a spiritual person, and what being a “fake” spiritual person ...
03.19.2022 On the Road with Traveling Nunk Sister Clear Grace Sister Clear Grace is a black, non-binary monastic traveling across the country to lean in to the collective experience of the United States. The traveling nunk speaks with Lion’s Roar’s associate editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde about letting go of privilege, ...
03.05.2022 Failure and Creativity with Seth Godin and Zopa’s “Red Sky” from Sopranos Star Michael Imperioli Seth Godin is an expert on failure. While he’s founded several hugely successful ventures and written 20 bestselling books around the world including his newest book, The Practice, he has also learned from failing over and over. Today he explains ...
02.19.2022 Healing the Inner Child with Anh-Huong Nguyen While the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh may seem simple, they are profound. Anh-Huong Nguyen, one of the first students to be ordained as a meditation teacher in the Plum Village tradition, demonstrates how mindfulness has helped her and the ...
02.05.2022 The Passing of Thich Nhat Hanh and “This Monk Wears Heels” with Kodo Nishimura We reflect on the death of one of the greatest Buddhist teachers of our time, and preview the new issue of Lion’s Roar magazine. Then makeup artist, monk, and author of This Monk Wears Heels, Kodo Nishimura tells Pamela Ayo ...
01.22.2022 Anxiety and What to do About it with Bruce Tift Anxiety can be a pretty reasonable response to times of wide spread disease, environmental disaster, social unrest and polarization. Associate editor Chris Pacheco talks to Bruce Tift, psychotherapist and author of Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of ...
01.08.2022 The Science of Hope and Justice with Sará King Wellbeing and social justice are one and the same, according to neuroscientist Dr. Sará King. Pamela Ayo Yetunde asks about The Science of Social Justice, her illustrative Systems-Based Awareness Map, and the implications of the framework that has the power ...
12.25.2021 Love Your Body Meditation with Trudy Goodman A guided body scan meditation from Insight LA founder Trudy Goodman, plus an audio clip from her presentation for the new Insight and Mindfulness online learning series, available now at learn.lionsorar.com.
12.11.2021 Refuge from Racism with Sensei Alex Kakuyo How can Buddhist practice help you find refuge from racism? Especially from the internalized sense of inferiority that lives within the minds and bodies of racialized people? Teacher Sensei Alex Kakuyo and Lion’s Roar Associate Editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde discuss.
11.27.2021 “Mission: Joy” with Peggy Callahan and Elissa Epel Centered on a friendship between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the documentary Mission: Joy was produced and co-directed by Peggy Callahan while its real life complement, The Big Joy Project, is an experiment in “citizen science.” She and ...
11.13.2021 Facing the Unknown with Kaira Jewel Lingo As everyday normalities change, or even vanish, what used to make sense is out the door, and a new vision of our lives and our world is needed. Kaira Jewel Lingo, former nun in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition, ...
10.30.2021 The Five Remembrances with Koun Franz and Guided Breath Meditation The facts of aging, illness, death, separation, and loss can actually be encouraging, Buddhadharma’s Koun Franz explains. Then, a guided meditation and quick check-in on your meditation posture.

Older episodes

The Lion’s Roar Podcast

What's The Lion’s Roar Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Lion’s Roar Podcast episodes:

Death and What Really Matters with Shoshana Ungerlieder

Barbie's Journey to Enlightenment with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

Women of Wisdom with Lama Tsultrim Allione

The Woman Who Married the Buddha with Shyam Selvadurai

Theravada in Everyday Life with Brooke Schedneck

Enlightenment is an Accident with Tim Burkett

Mindfulness in Your Workplace with Stacy McClendon

Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition w. Rima Vesely-Flad

Hilma af Klint and the Five Buddha Families with Kevin Townley

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel

The New Wave of Mindfulness with Christiane Wolf

Travel as a Spiritual Experience with Pico Iyer

Medicine for Internalized Racism with Karla Jackson-Brewer

The Secret to Happiness with Robert Waldinger

Kinship and Community with Pamela Ayo Yetunde

The Dharma of Harriet Tubman with Spring Washam

The Practice of Writing with Natalie Goldberg

The Evolution of the Mindfulness Movement with Diana Winston

New Year’s Prayers from Roshi Joan Halifax and Leigh Brasington on The Path to Peace by Ayya Khema

The Eightfold Path Adult Graphic Novel with Steven Barnes, Charles Johnson and Bryan Moss

Why We Meditate with Tsokyni Rinpoche and Daniel Goleman

Calm Abiding and the Divine Abodes with Lama Tsomo

The Trauma of Caste with Thenmozhi Soundararajan

Being Open to What Works for You with Mushim Patricia Ikeda

Mindfulness of Race with Ruth King

The Practice of Meditation with Yung Pueblo

That Bird Has My Wings book review and The Buddhist Enneagram with Susan Piver

We're Not Who You Think We Are with Chenxing Han

Beauty in the Bittersweet with Susan Cain and ‘Not Enlightened Yet’ by Miguel Chen

The Breath Is Your Partner with Trudy Goodman

Racism, Suffering, and the Joy of Freedom with Kamilah Majied

Connecting to Nature with Larry Ward, and Roe v. Wade with Roshi Joan Halifax

Wisdom and Suffering with Brother Phap Hai

Coping with Racism and Guided Metta with Phoenix Soleil

Fear and Knowing How to Be Satisfied with Koshin Paley Ellison

Death and What Really Matters with Shoshana Ungerlieder

Black Male Vulnerability in Buddhist Community with Willie Mukei Shoman Smith, SoOn Eli Brown-Stevenson, and Malik Watkins

Mindful Money with Spencer Sherman

Pema Chodron’s Four Keys to Waking Up with Andrea Miller

On the Road with Traveling Nunk Sister Clear Grace

Failure and Creativity with Seth Godin and Zopa’s “Red Sky” from Sopranos Star Michael Imperioli

Healing the Inner Child with Anh-Huong Nguyen

The Passing of Thich Nhat Hanh and “This Monk Wears Heels” with Kodo Nishimura

Anxiety and What to do About it with Bruce Tift

The Science of Hope and Justice with Sará King

Love Your Body Meditation with Trudy Goodman

Refuge from Racism with Sensei Alex Kakuyo

“Mission: Joy” with Peggy Callahan and Elissa Epel

Facing the Unknown with Kaira Jewel Lingo

The Five Remembrances with Koun Franz and Guided Breath Meditation