Best Ronald Purser Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 49 - Tara Isabella Burton- Self-Made 50:24

2y ago50:24

50:24

I am really excited about the conversation I had with Tara Isabella Burton – who is a novelist, essayist and scholar of religion and spirituality – and we spoke about her new book, Self-Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians, published by Public Affairs. Tara takes us on a historical tour of the evolution of self-making, tha…

1
Episode 49 - Tara Isabella Burton- Self-Made 50:24

2y ago50:24

50:24

I am really excited about the conversation I had with Tara Isabella Burton – who is a novelist, essayist and scholar of religion and spirituality – and we spoke about her new book, Self-Made: Creating Our Identities from Da Vinci to the Kardashians, published by Public Affairs. Tara takes us on a historical tour of the evolution of self-making, tha…

1
Episode 48 - Derek Beres - Conspirituality 1:09:06

2y ago1:09:06

1:09:06

It would appear that Lululemon-wearing Yoga teachers are worlds apart from gun-toting, far-right Trumper conspiracists. Yet, during the Covid-shut down, when revenues from brick-and-mortar yoga studios dried up - many prominent yoga instructors, as well as wellness influencers who saw big bucks could made in the midst of the vaccine paranoia – thes…

1
Episode 48 - Derek Beres - Conspirituality 1:09:06

2y ago1:09:06

1:09:06

It would appear that Lululemon-wearing Yoga teachers are worlds apart from gun-toting, far-right Trumper conspiracists. Yet, during the Covid-shut down, when revenues from brick-and-mortar yoga studios dried up - many prominent yoga instructors, as well as wellness influencers who saw big bucks could made in the midst of the vaccine paranoia – thes…

1
Episode 47 - Peter Hershock: Buddhism & AI 1:13:13

2y ago1:13:13

1:13:13

Since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT earlier this year, there has been a media frenzy – with AI suddenly becoming of mainstream interest and concern. In this episode, I spoke with Peter Hershock, a prolific scholar trained in Asian and comparative philosophy, who has had a long-term interest in the ethical dimensions of our relationship with techn…

1
Episode 47 - Peter Hershock: Buddhism & AI 1:13:13

2y ago1:13:13

1:13:13

Since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT earlier this year, there has been a media frenzy – with AI suddenly becoming of mainstream interest and concern. In this episode, I spoke with Peter Hershock, a prolific scholar trained in Asian and comparative philosophy, who has had a long-term interest in the ethical dimensions of our relationship with techn…

1
Episode 46 - Martin Parker: Shut Down the Business School 1:11:52

2y ago1:11:52

1:11:52

I really enjoyed speaking with Martin Parker about his bold book, Shut Down the Business School: What’s Wrong with Management Education, published by Pluto Press. Yes, you heard that right – Shut Down the Business School, Bulldoze it over…flatten it! Sure, sounds a little hyperbolic, but this is a serious book and not some frivolous rant. Even as f…

1
Episode 46 - Martin Parker: Shut Down the Business School 1:11:52

2y ago1:11:52

1:11:52

I really enjoyed speaking with Martin Parker about his bold book, Shut Down the Business School: What’s Wrong with Management Education, published by Pluto Press. Yes, you heard that right – Shut Down the Business School, Bulldoze it over…flatten it! Sure, sounds a little hyperbolic, but this is a serious book and not some frivolous rant. Even as f…

1
Episode 45 - Alissa Quart: Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream 50:25

2y ago50:25

50:25

Has the American Dream been built on a fundamental delusion – that we are all independent and autonomous individuals – that whether we become insanely wealthy or completely broke - is simply a matter of choice? That if we wish to be successful we just need to work hard, put our nose to the grindstone, and pull ourselves up by our own – well, Bootst…

1
Episode 45 - Alissa Quart: Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream 50:25

2y ago50:25

50:25

Has the American Dream been built on a fundamental delusion – that we are all independent and autonomous individuals – that whether we become insanely wealthy or completely broke - is simply a matter of choice? That if we wish to be successful we just need to work hard, put our nose to the grindstone, and pull ourselves up by our own – well, Bootst…

1
Curtis White - Transcendent: Art and Dharma in a Time of Collapse 1:06:04

2y ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Could it be the case that the Western Buddhists have lost touch with the radical questioning and the transformative power of transcendence? Has the focus on meditation, the mimicking of South Asian monastics with the necessity of engaging in long and austere silent retreats, and the dominant materialist view that Buddhism is a “science of mind” cre…

1
Curtis White - Transcendent: Art and Dharma in a Time of Collapse 1:06:04

2y ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Could it be the case that the Western Buddhists have lost touch with the radical questioning and the transformative power of transcendence? Has the focus on meditation, the mimicking of South Asian monastics with the necessity of engaging in long and austere silent retreats, and the dominant materialist view that Buddhism is a “science of mind” cre…

1
Episode 43 - Steve Hagen: The Grand Delusion 1:08:07

2y ago1:08:07

1:08:07

Our way of knowing seems seduced into seeing things – including ourselves as the self as the knower – as substantial. We believe and take for granted that the world is a myriad of things and objects, that the passage of time is real, and that we can rely on science to tell us how to live and what has meaning and value. Whether it’s our fascination …

1
Episode 43 - Steve Hagen: The Grand Delusion 1:08:07

2y ago1:08:07

1:08:07

Our way of knowing seems seduced into seeing things – including ourselves as the self as the knower – as substantial. We believe and take for granted that the world is a myriad of things and objects, that the passage of time is real, and that we can rely on science to tell us how to live and what has meaning and value. Whether it’s our fascination …

1
Episode 42- Graham Parkes: How to Think About the Climate Crisis 1:26:34

2+ y ago1:26:34

1:26:34

Is the climate crisis a reflection of our lack of understanding of our true nature as human beings in the cosmos? Could our inability to ask such difficult questions be at the root of our collective impotence to reduce carbon emissions and usher in the magnitude of cultural change necessary in order to avoid impending and irreversible tipping point…

1
Episode 42- Graham Parkes: How to Think About the Climate Crisis 1:26:34

2+ y ago1:26:34

1:26:34

Is the climate crisis a reflection of our lack of understanding of our true nature as human beings in the cosmos? Could our inability to ask such difficult questions be at the root of our collective impotence to reduce carbon emissions and usher in the magnitude of cultural change necessary in order to avoid impending and irreversible tipping point…

1
Episode 41 - Rina Raphael: The Gospel of Wellness 58:13

2+ y ago58:13

58:13

Why is everything now about wellness and “self-care”? And it’s not just about Goop – the global wellness industry – from leech therapy, MCT oils, to yoga, clean eating and New Age manifestation coaches -- is now a booming $4 trillion-dollar global industry. In this Episode, I spoke with Rina Raphael about her new book, The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms,…

1
Episode 41 - Rina Raphael: The Gospel of Wellness 58:13

2+ y ago58:13

58:13

Why is everything now about wellness and “self-care”? And it’s not just about Goop – the global wellness industry – from leech therapy, MCT oils, to yoga, clean eating and New Age manifestation coaches -- is now a booming $4 trillion-dollar global industry. In this Episode, I spoke with Rina Raphael about her new book, The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms,…

1
Episode 40 - Gail Stearns: Liberating Mindfulness 53:10

2+ y ago53:10

53:10

In Episode 40, I spoke with Gail Stearns about her new book, Liberating Mindfulness: From Billion-dollar Industry to Engaged Spirituality (Orbis Books, 2022). Our conversation explored Gail's journey into the contemporary mindfulness world as she earnestly sought ways it could enhance her chaplaincy and counseling work with students at Chapman Univ…

1
Episode 40 - Gail Stearns: Liberating Mindfulness 53:10

2+ y ago53:10

53:10

In Episode 40, I spoke with Gail Stearns about her new book, Liberating Mindfulness: From Billion-dollar Industry to Engaged Spirituality (Orbis Books, 2022). Our conversation explored Gail's journey into the contemporary mindfulness world as she earnestly sought ways it could enhance her chaplaincy and counseling work with students at Chapman Univ…

1
Episode 39 - Pierce Salguero: Buddhish 42:30

3y ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, I spoke with Pierce Salguero, Ph.D., about his new book Buddhish: A Guide to the 20 Most Important Buddhist Ideas for the Curious and Skeptical, published this year by Beacon Press. Pierce is a Professor of Asian History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University, and is Editor-in-Chief of Asian Medicine: Journal of the…

1
Episode 39 - Pierce Salguero: Buddhish 42:30

3y ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, I spoke with Pierce Salguero, Ph.D., about his new book Buddhish: A Guide to the 20 Most Important Buddhist Ideas for the Curious and Skeptical, published this year by Beacon Press. Pierce is a Professor of Asian History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University, and is Editor-in-Chief of Asian Medicine: Journal of the…

1
Episode 38 - Johann Hari - Stolen Focus 1:15:37

3y ago1:15:37

1:15:37

I spoke with Johann Hari – whose new book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again – is already a New York Times best-seller. I was fortunate enough to meet Johann in September 2019 when he was writing this book. He came to my house here in Pacifica, California – and we spent the whole day together and discussing a…

1
Episode 38 - Johann Hari - Stolen Focus 1:15:37

3y ago1:15:37

1:15:37

I spoke with Johann Hari – whose new book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again – is already a New York Times best-seller. I was fortunate enough to meet Johann in September 2019 when he was writing this book. He came to my house here in Pacifica, California – and we spent the whole day together and discussing a…

1
Episode 1: The Mindful Cranks Trailer 4:05

3+ y ago4:05

4:05

Check out our new trailer!By Ron Purser

1
Episode 1: The Mindful Cranks Trailer 4:05

3+ y ago4:05

4:05

Check out our new trailer!By Ron Purser

1
Episode 37 - Kathleen Gregory: Mindfulness as Psychological Redemption 1:01:04

3+ y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

In Episode 37, I spoke with Kathleen Gregory about her chapter “The Modern Mindfulness Movement and the Search for Psychological Redemption” recently published in Richard Payne’s new edited volume, Secularizing Buddhism (Shambala Publications, 2021). Kathleen offers a unique perspective on modern mindfulness as she is both a licensed therapist and …

1
Episode 37 - Kathleen Gregory: Mindfulness as Psychological Redemption 1:01:04

3+ y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

In Episode 37, I spoke with Kathleen Gregory about her chapter “The Modern Mindfulness Movement and the Search for Psychological Redemption” recently published in Richard Payne’s new edited volume, Secularizing Buddhism (Shambala Publications, 2021). Kathleen offers a unique perspective on modern mindfulness as she is both a licensed therapist and …

1
Episode 36 - Richard Payne: Secularizing Buddhism 1:23:39

3+ y ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Richard Payne is the Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley, California and the Graduate Theological Union. I spoke with Richard about his new edited volume, Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition, published by Shambala. Our conversation explores how the discourse…

1
Episode 36 - Richard Payne: Secularizing Buddhism 1:23:39

3+ y ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Richard Payne is the Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley, California and the Graduate Theological Union. I spoke with Richard about his new edited volume, Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition, published by Shambala. Our conversation explores how the discourse…

1
Episode 35 - Sarah Shaw: The Varieties of Mindfulness 57:39

4y ago57:39

57:39

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sarah Shaw, who is an Honorary fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies; and lecturer for the Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. We spoke about her new book, Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means – published in paperback by Shambala. This is a very acces…

1
Episode 35 - Sarah Shaw: The Varieties of Mindfulness 57:39

4y ago57:39

57:39

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sarah Shaw, who is an Honorary fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies; and lecturer for the Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. We spoke about her new book, Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means – published in paperback by Shambala. This is a very acces…

1
Episode 34 - Gregory Kramer: A Whole-Life Path 1:18:03

4y ago1:18:03

1:18:03

In this episode, I was fortunate to speak to Gregory Kramer who is the founding teacher of the Insight Dialogue Community. Back in 2015, I invited Gregory to be one of the keynote speakers at an international conference that I organized on Mindfulness at SFSU. I knew of his work on Insight Dialogue. I recently stumbled upon his new book, A Whole-Li…

1
Episode 34 - Gregory Kramer: A Whole-Life Path 1:18:03

4y ago1:18:03

1:18:03

In this episode, I was fortunate to speak to Gregory Kramer who is the founding teacher of the Insight Dialogue Community. Back in 2015, I invited Gregory to be one of the keynote speakers at an international conference that I organized on Mindfulness at SFSU. I knew of his work on Insight Dialogue. I recently stumbled upon his new book, A Whole-Li…

1
Episode 33 - Daniel Simpson: The Truth of Yoga 1:23:08

4+ y ago1:23:08

1:23:08

In this episode, I spoke with Daniel Simpson about his wonderful new book, The Truth of Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga’s History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices, just published by North Point Press. It’s an easy read because Daniel is a professional writer having left a burgeoning career in journalism after he became disillusioned with mains…

1
Episode 33 - Daniel Simpson: The Truth of Yoga 1:23:08

4+ y ago1:23:08

1:23:08

In this episode, I spoke with Daniel Simpson about his wonderful new book, The Truth of Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga’s History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices, just published by North Point Press. It’s an easy read because Daniel is a professional writer having left a burgeoning career in journalism after he became disillusioned with mains…

1
Episode 32 - Andrea Jain: Yoga and the Politics of Global Spirituality 1:08:45

4+ y ago1:08:45

1:08:45

In this episode I spoke with Andrea R. Jain, Associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University, Indianapolis about her new book Peace Love Yoga: The Politics of Global Spirituality, published by Oxford University Press. Our conversation explores how modern, commodified yoga serves a neoliberal agenda by containing social activism and p…

1
Episode 32 - Andrea Jain: Yoga and the Politics of Global Spirituality 1:08:45

4+ y ago1:08:45

1:08:45

In this episode I spoke with Andrea R. Jain, Associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University, Indianapolis about her new book Peace Love Yoga: The Politics of Global Spirituality, published by Oxford University Press. Our conversation explores how modern, commodified yoga serves a neoliberal agenda by containing social activism and p…

1
Episode 31 - Michal Pagis: The Sociology of Vipassana and Mindfulness 1:27:49

4+ y ago1:27:49

1:27:49

In this episode I spoke with Michal Pagis who is an associate professor of sociology at Bar Ilan University, Israel about her new book Inward: Vipassana Meditation and the Embodiment of the Self published by the University of Chicago Press in 2019. Using micro-sociological analysis through participant observation and auto-enthnography, Michal studi…

1
Episode 31 - Michal Pagis: The Sociology of Vipassana and Mindfulness 1:27:49

4+ y ago1:27:49

1:27:49

In this episode I spoke with Michal Pagis who is an associate professor of sociology at Bar Ilan University, Israel about her new book Inward: Vipassana Meditation and the Embodiment of the Self published by the University of Chicago Press in 2019. Using micro-sociological analysis through participant observation and auto-enthnography, Michal studi…

1
Episode 30 - Adrian Daub: Questioning Silicon Valley 1:21:37

4+ y ago1:21:37

1:21:37

In this episode I spoke with Adrian Daub about his new book, What Tech Calls Thinking, published by FSG Originals. I discovered Adrian’s fascinating book in a New York Times review which called it ‘scintillating.” Adrian examines the philosophical traditions tech leaders and their boosters draw on to make plausible and inevitable their industry’s r…

1
Episode 30 - Adrian Daub: Questioning Silicon Valley 1:21:37

4+ y ago1:21:37

1:21:37

In this episode I spoke with Adrian Daub about his new book, What Tech Calls Thinking, published by FSG Originals. I discovered Adrian’s fascinating book in a New York Times review which called it ‘scintillating.” Adrian examines the philosophical traditions tech leaders and their boosters draw on to make plausible and inevitable their industry’s r…

1
Episode 29 - Paula Haddock: Mindfulness for Social Change 52:15

4+ y ago52:15

52:15

I often get the question – “Well, who is doing innovative and leading-edge work on social and civic mindfulness – who is teaching mindfulness outside of the clinical, biomedical, and individualistic framework? I kept hearing Paula Haddock’s name pop up. Paula Haddock is a long-time social activist and spent many years working in non-profit fundrais…

1
Episode 29 - Paula Haddock: Mindfulness for Social Change 52:15

4+ y ago52:15

52:15

I often get the question – “Well, who is doing innovative and leading-edge work on social and civic mindfulness – who is teaching mindfulness outside of the clinical, biomedical, and individualistic framework? I kept hearing Paula Haddock’s name pop up. Paula Haddock is a long-time social activist and spent many years working in non-profit fundrais…

1
Episode 28 - Laurence Cox: The Irish Buddhist 1:02:30

4+ y ago1:02:30

1:02:30

This conversation explores an obscure historical figure, Dhammaloka, who was perhaps one of the first Westerners ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1901 in British occupied Burma. Laurence Cox is co-author of The Irish Buddhist: The Forgotten Monk who Faced Down the British Empire, published by Oxford University Press. Based on ten year of archival res…

1
Episode 28 - Laurence Cox: The Irish Buddhist 1:02:30

4+ y ago1:02:30

1:02:30

This conversation explores an obscure historical figure, Dhammaloka, who was perhaps one of the first Westerners ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1901 in British occupied Burma. Laurence Cox is co-author of The Irish Buddhist: The Forgotten Monk who Faced Down the British Empire, published by Oxford University Press. Based on ten year of archival res…

1
Episode 27 - Daniel Nehring - Mindfulness and Therapeutic Cultures 1:02:40

4+ y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

In this Episode, I spoke with Daniel Nehring, who is an Associate Professor of Sociology at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai. Daniel is, in my opinion, an ascending and prolific scholar in the field of critical sociology, and an amazing networker who has brought together a diverse group of international collaborators from…

1
Episode 27 - Daniel Nehring - Mindfulness and Therapeutic Cultures 1:02:40

4+ y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

In this Episode, I spoke with Daniel Nehring, who is an Associate Professor of Sociology at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai. Daniel is, in my opinion, an ascending and prolific scholar in the field of critical sociology, and an amazing networker who has brought together a diverse group of international collaborators from…

1
Episode 26 - Matthew Ingram - Retreat: How the Counterculture Invented Wellness 1:42:19

4+ y ago1:42:19

1:42:19

In this Episode, I spoke with Matthew Ingram, author of, Retreat: How the Counterculture Invented Wellness – recently published this summer by Repeater Books. Reading Matthew’s book was like taking a walk down memory lane for me, revisiting many of the key figures of the counterculture – and discovering many unknown connections between such figures…

1
Episode 26 - Matthew Ingram - Retreat: How the Counterculture Invented Wellness 1:42:19

4+ y ago1:42:19

1:42:19

In this Episode, I spoke with Matthew Ingram, author of, Retreat: How the Counterculture Invented Wellness – recently published this summer by Repeater Books. Reading Matthew’s book was like taking a walk down memory lane for me, revisiting many of the key figures of the counterculture – and discovering many unknown connections between such figures…

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Ronald Purser Podcasts

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