Recording this in Nepal, it seemed all too fitting to put together a short episode on Buddhism and Meditation.

In this one, we run through the core teachings of Buddhism and take a stab at what they mean. We also look into mindfulness meditation, both how to do it and what peer-reviewed studies say about it.

Spotify playlist: Unbabbled

Ajahn Chah on how to meditate: http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Gift_Dhamma1.php

Johns Hopkins study: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1809754

Mental Health Inventory (MHI-18): http://www.pmidcalc.org/?sid=6630688&newtest=Y

Kessler Distress Scale (K10): https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

What would you do to attain your ideal life? In this episode we look into one of the countless strategies that human beings have come up with to get closer to their ideal life. In this particular case, as in many others, the answer was sought in the sky, both metaphorically and literally.

Special thanks to George Kourelis of Visit Meteora in Kalabaka, Greece. Find out more about George's work at visitmeteora.travel.

Theme music written and recorded by Michael Wharton using a slowed down version of Vincent Sermonne's Brush Loop, licensed through CC BY 3.0.

Unbabbled is written, recorded, and produced by Michael Wharton.

Quick update from Kathmandu, Nepal. 

This week's full episode is delayed until mid-week as opposed to the usual Monday release, but here's a little teaser with some travel musings as well as a book recommendation.

Progress report!

How much does a 3 month Euro trip cost? What changes should I expect mentally? What about physically? What are the safest countries? Which countries have the best food?

Today marks 3 months since the beginning of this "round-the-world" trip. It's time to look inward and be a bit introspective. In this episode, the above questions and more are answered in detail.

Although one of the darkest moments in human history, World War 2 contains a trove of stories of triumph and heroism. This episode attempts to give some justice to only one of these tales.

It's early 1945, the famous "bulge" of the Battle of the Bulge is receding, and Hitler is on the retreat at the Western Front. In the East, the Soviets have reached Budapest and are stopping at nothing to gain on the Germans. Civilians are losing their lives by the thousands, but one man took a unique approach to save thousands.

Special thanks to Kait, Logan, and Shelbi for quote reenactments. Also thanks to Hospital in the Rock for providing research materials.

Theme music written and recorded by Michael Wharton using a slowed down version of Vincent Sermonne's Brush Loop, licensed through CC BY 3.0. Other music featured:

Damir Kustic's Budapest, Charda, Atmosphere, Cimbalom, licensed through CC BY 3.0.

Unbabbled is written, recorded, and produced by Michael Wharton.

Fourth edition of "Dead Ends", a collection of off the cuff updates and stories that didn't make it into the content for a full episode. In this one, I'll give you some coverage on the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial near Munich, then Vienna and Budapest. You'll also get some podcast and book recommendations.

Podcasts:

Waking up (Sam Harris) - "Must We Accept a Nuclear North Korea?"

Revisionist History (Malcom Gladwell) - "The Footsoldier of Birmingham" (and all of the second season)

Stuff You Should Know - "How Public Broadcasting Works"

Links:

UN Declaration on Human Rights: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Documents/UDHR_Translations/eng.pdf

UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights into the DPRK report: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/CoIDPRK/Pages/ReportoftheCommissionofInquiryDPRK.aspx

Books:

Norman Doidge - "The Brain That Changes Itself"

Prague is known for many things, but in this episode we try our hand at a hugely popular pastime among the Czech people. It's quite a peaceful way to spend time, but if done improperly, the consequences could be deadly.

Special thanks to Pierce Jamieson for teaching us so much about the microscopic world, as well as for providing the cover photo for this episode.

Unbabbled is written, recorded, and produced by Michael Wharton.

Third edition of "Dead Ends", a collection of off the cuff updates and stories that didn't make it into the content for a full episode. In this one, you'll get a few tips for saving money on extended travel as well as details about a gift made personally for you (yes, you). You'll also get some insights into travel in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dresden.

Waffles, bikes, canals, and vice are the usual Amsterdam stereotypes. But in this episode, we stumble onto a lesser-known underground community that keeps passions alive amidst all the stereotypes and tourists. Headquartered in an old fallout shelter under a bridge, these volunteers have found their niche and invite you to join their cause.

Special thanks to Barbara of the Vondelbunker for taking some time for an interview. You can find out more about the Vondelbunker at their website.

Unbabbled is written, recorded, and produced by Michael Wharton.

Why is everyone so mixed about travel to Morocco? Where do you even go if you decide to indeed head there? In this episode, we answer these questions and more as we tease out all the insane experiences at the Jemaa el-Fna square, a place in Marrakech where the culture of the entire country comes together in one big cacophony.

We will also take a peek into the darker side of the country, where Western sensibilities are always at odds with the Moroccan way of life.

Theme music written and recorded by Michael Wharton using a slowed down version of Vincent Sermonne's Brush Loop, licensed through CC BY 3.0. Introduction sequence music is Maghribi by Gnawa Click (licensed through CC BY 2.0), as well as Men Haqek Ya Qalbi by Rouicha (through CC BY 2.5).

Unbabbled is written, recorded, and produced by Michael Wharton.