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.

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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.

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In this episode, I explore the parable of The Empty Boat and how it serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the way we react to life’s inevitable bumps (especially those caused by others). Drawing from Taoist and Zen traditions, this story reminds us that much of our suffering arises not from what happens, but from the meaning we attach to it.

We’ll look at what it means to take things personally, why we often assume intent where there may be none, and how mindfulness helps us shift from reactivity to response. I also share personal reflections, real-life examples, and variations on the parable to help bring this teaching into everyday life.

Whether you’ve been bumped recently or you’ve unknowingly bumped into others, this episode offers a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and respond with more awareness and compassion.

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In this episode of The Secular Buddhism Podcast, I reflect on an experience at a dance competition that led me to deeply consider connection, perception, and the way we assign meaning to our experiences. As I watched dancers perform to carefully chosen songs, I found myself drawn into the emotions conveyed in the lyrics—emotions that felt strikingly familiar, even though they were someone else’s words, someone else’s story.

This realization sparked a deeper exploration of Buddhist teachings on interdependence (pratītyasamutpāda), impermanence (anicca), and feeling tones (vedanā)—all of which play a role in how we connect to art, music, and each other. How is it that a song written by a stranger can make us feel understood in our most personal moments of joy or sorrow? What does this teach us about the shared human experience?

Join me as we explore the ways in which our lives, like music, are constantly unfolding—sometimes melancholic, sometimes joyful, always moving. And just as we don’t cling to a single note in a song, we can learn to embrace the impermanence of life with greater ease.

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In times of uncertainty and suffering, many of us find ourselves asking: What can I do? The weight of the world’s challenges—humanitarian crises, injustice, personal struggles—can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering whether our efforts even make a difference.

In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, I’m sharing the audio from a recent Dharma talk on the Bodhisattva path—a way of engaging with suffering that is rooted in compassion, wisdom, and the recognition of our deep interconnection. The Bodhisattva path invites us to act, not because we are certain we can fix everything, but because compassionate action is itself a meaningful response to the suffering around us.

Through personal stories, Buddhist teachings, and reflections on our shared humanity, this talk explores how we can light even the smallest candle in the darkness without burning out or losing hope.

I hope this episode offers you some clarity, encouragement, and a renewed sense of purpose in these challenging times.

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In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, Noah Rasheta explores the Tibetan Buddhist concept of bardos, traditionally understood as transitional states between life, death, and rebirth. Taking a secular approach, Noah reinterprets bardos as a framework for understanding all of life’s transitions, both big and small.

Life is constantly shifting—between moments, relationships, jobs, emotions, and even identities. Each transition, whether minor or major, offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and make intentional choices about what we bring forward and what we leave behind. Noah discusses the six bardos in Tibetan Buddhism and reimagines them in an everyday context, showing how they can help us navigate change with mindfulness and presence.

Through personal stories and practical reflections, this episode encourages listeners to embrace the space between what was and what will be—not as something to fear, but as a fertile ground for growth, renewal, and greater self-awareness.

Tune in to explore how recognizing bardos in daily life can help you move through transitions with clarity, resilience, and wisdom.

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In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, I sit down with Cortland Dahl, author of A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism, to explore how Buddhist teachings and meditation can help us navigate life’s challenges with awareness, compassion, and wisdom.

Cortland shares insights from his book, which serves as an accessible guide for both beginners and seasoned meditators, and discusses themes such as the practical application of Buddhist principles in daily life, the transformative power of curiosity, and the innate qualities of awareness, compassion, and wisdom that reside within all of us.

We also discuss the concept of the “householder yogi,” how everyday moments can become opportunities for mindfulness, and the role of compassion in fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation offers relatable and transformative perspectives.

Tune in to discover how Buddhist practices can help you suffer less, flourish more, and embrace the present moment with a fresh perspective.

Find Cortland’s book, A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism, here https://amzn.to/3Pqx7w7 or wherever books are sold, and learn more about his work at cortlanddahl.com.

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In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah Rasheta explores the concept of letting go as a path to freedom and liberation.

Using analogies like hanging onto a rope, carrying a backpack, and navigating monkey bars, Noah illustrates how our attachments to beliefs, roles, and identities can create unnecessary suffering. He offers practical advice for identifying and releasing the things that weigh us down, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability in the process. Noah also reframes the question of "Who am I?" to "What am I doing?" to help listeners focus on the present moment and respond skillfully to life's challenges. By embracing the dynamic nature of letting go, we can lighten our load and find peace on our journey through life.

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In this episode, I explore gratitude as a natural byproduct of awareness, interdependence, and impermanence. Through the lens of Buddhist teachings, including the metaphor of Indra’s net and the Zen story of “The Cup Is Already Broken,” I share how mindfulness reveals the interconnectedness of all things and inspires genuine gratitude.

I discuss how gratitude isn’t something we’re commanded to feel but something that arises effortlessly when we embrace the fleeting nature of life and recognize the countless causes and conditions that support our existence. I also introduce practical ways to cultivate gratitude, such as Naikan practice and gratitude meditations, and show how awareness can transform even the simplest moments into opportunities for profound appreciation.

Whether you’re preparing for Thanksgiving or simply looking to deepen your understanding of mindfulness, this episode offers wisdom for cherishing life as it unfolds.

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In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, we explore the Buddhist perspective on suffering and how we can transform our relationship with it.

We'll explore how changing our relationship with suffering can lead to personal growth, wisdom, and even unexpected joy. This episode offers listeners practical tools to apply Buddhist concepts in their daily lives, encouraging a curious and compassionate approach to life's challenges. Whether you're new to Buddhist ideas or a long-time practitioner, this episode provides valuable insights for navigating the inevitable difficulties of human existence.

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