Episódios

  • 211 - Right Livelihood

    211 - Right Livelihood
    Aug 19 2025
    In this episode, Noah explores Right Livelihood, the next step on the Eightfold Path. More than just avoiding harmful professions, Right Livelihood invites us to reflect on how our work shapes who we are and how we show up in the world. Noah shares personal stories, analogies, and practical questions to consider, such as: Does my work align with my values? Does it cultivate compassion and presence, or leave me depleted and divided? Whether you love your job, dislike it, or are somewhere in between, this talk reframes livelihood as not about finding the “perfect” career, but about engaging skillfully with the conditions of life and bringing mindfulness into how we work every day.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    20 minutos
  • 210 - Right Action

    210 - Right Action
    Aug 4 2025

    In this episode, we continue our journey through the Eightfold Path by exploring Right Action—the fourth step on the path to mindful living. Rather than a rigid set of moral rules, Right Action is about learning to engage with life skillfully, making choices that reduce unnecessary suffering for ourselves and others.

    Through the story of a paragliding mishap, we'll examine how our actions, whether big or small, shape our daily experiences. We'll discuss how unskillful actions often arise from craving, aversion, or delusion, and how cultivating awareness allows us to respond more wisely to life’s challenges.

    We’ll also reflect on traditional Buddhist guidelines—abstaining from taking life, taking what is not given, and sexual misconduct—and reframe them as practical tools for fostering respect, reducing harm, and nurturing relationships.

    This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and ask: “Is this action skillful? Am I using the right tool for this moment?” Every decision becomes an opportunity to practice Right Action and to live with greater clarity, presence, and compassion.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 minutos
  • 209 - Unbecoming Ourselves (with Heather Schenck)

    209 - Unbecoming Ourselves (with Heather Schenck)
    Jul 29 2025

    In this special interview episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow traveler on the path, Heather Schenck. Many of you may recognize Heather from our online community—she’s been part of our Sangha since 2020. What began as a personal journey through suffering and self-inquiry has now culminated in the release of her first book, Unbecoming Ourselves.


    Heather shares the deeply personal story behind her book—how her identity as a nurse, mother, and “good person” created a cycle of striving and self-judgment, and how Buddhist teachings like groundlessness, impermanence, and the nature of suffering helped her begin to loosen her grip on those labels. Together, we explore the difference between who we are and who we think we should be, and how compassion, curiosity, and mindfulness can guide us back to a more authentic way of being.


    We also talk about the sneaky nature of all-pervasive suffering, how perfectionism often disguises itself as growth, and how to skillfully work with the inner narrator many of us carry. Whether you’ve struggled with self-worth, identity, or perfectionism, this conversation offers powerful insights and gentle encouragement to soften around the stories we tell ourselves.


    Heather’s book Unbecoming Ourselves is available now on Amazon. Learn more about her work and upcoming courses at aheartawakened.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    50 minutos
  • 208 - Right Speech

    208 - Right Speech
    Jul 28 2025
    In this episode, we continue our journey through the Eightfold Path by exploring Right Speech. More than just speaking truthfully or avoiding gossip, Right Speech is a mindfulness practice—an invitation to reflect on how, why, and when we communicate. We look at the four types of unskillful speech—false, harsh, divisive, and idle chatter—and how becoming aware of them can transform our relationships, both with others and with ourselves. From conversations with loved ones to the inner dialogue in our minds, speech shapes our experience. Tune in as we reflect on how a single moment of awareness before speaking can reduce harm and create connection.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    23 minutos
  • 207 - Be a Lamp Unto Yourself

    207 - Be a Lamp Unto Yourself
    Jun 24 2025
    In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, I explore what it means to “be a lamp unto yourself.” Drawing from personal stories, including my time teaching paragliding, and Buddhist teachings on wisdom, I reflect on the journey from seeking external guidance to cultivating trust in your own inner knowing. What does it mean to become your own teacher? How can we balance learning from others while honoring our unique path? Join me as we look beyond the teacher and into the deeper work of awakening your own wisdom.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 minutos
  • 206 - Right Intention

    206 - Right Intention
    Jun 17 2025
    In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Eightfold Path by diving into the second aspect of wisdom—Right Intention. We explore how intention functions like a compass, helping us navigate life with purpose and clarity. Rather than reacting habitually, Right Intention invites us to respond skillfully to whatever arises. We discuss the three core intentions highlighted in Buddhist teachings: letting go (renunciation), wishing well (goodwill), and doing no harm (harmlessness). With everyday examples and practical insights, this episode is a reminder that intention shapes the seeds we plant with every word and action—and that we always have the power to begin again in any moment.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    26 minutos
  • 205 - Right View

    205 - Right View
    Jun 10 2025

    In this episode, I share the audio recording of a Dharma talk I gave during one of our Sunday Zoom calls. The topic is Right View, the first step on the Buddhist Eightfold Path. Inspired by the book Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari, I explore the nature of truth and how we relate to it in our everyday lives.


    I talk about three distinct types of truth—objective, subjective, and intersubjective—and how understanding these can help us develop a more skillful and compassionate view of reality. Using analogies like traffic lights, tinted glasses, and even Tetris blocks, I examine how Right View isn’t about having the “correct” opinion, but about recognizing our perspectives and holding them with humility and curiosity.


    This episode is an invitation to look more closely at how we see the world—and how a clearer view can help reduce suffering for ourselves and others.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 minutos
  • 204 - Beyond Happiness

    204 - Beyond Happiness
    May 12 2025
    What is the difference between happiness and joy, and how can we experience greater contentment, even when life doesn’t go as planned? In this episode, I explore the Buddhist perspectives and modern insights that reveal happiness as a fleeting emotional state, while joy represents a deeper, more enduring form of well-being. Drawing inspiration from “The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama, “Happiness” by Matthieu Ricard, and “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, I discuss practical exercises and teachings that help us cultivate a more resilient, compassionate, and flexible approach to life’s inevitable ups and downs. Join me as we learn to hold space for joy in every moment, beyond mere happiness.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 minutos