Devarshi Steven Hartman, author of The Three Essentials: Timeless Principles for Inner Peace and Self-Transformation, talks with J about Swami Kripalu and the nature of one's true self. They discuss renunciate paths, Yogi Amrit Desai, business and yoga, empowerment and betrayal, A Course in Miracles, religion and belief, koshas, witness consciousness, angels, creating reality, and freedom from the reservoir of subliminal impressions.

Andrew Wicklander, founder of Tula Software, talks with J about the evolution of digital technology and the promise of empowerment for independent creators. They discuss the early internet and explosion of software, predatory shifts in the industry, expanding beyond niches, credit card processing fees, growth and profit, implications of AI, ends and means, and what is still possible when we turn optimism into an advantage.

Daniel Simpson, author of The Evolution of Modern Yoga, returns to talk with J about the defining characteristics of "modern" yoga and what makes it relevant. They discuss shifts in postural practice over time, premodern texts, Krishnamacharya, Kuvalayananda and Yogendra, healing benefits, vedic sources, unfounded claims, oral tradition, kosha model, authenticity and inquiry, and disentangling core principles from outlandish trends.

Karen Patterson talks with J about learning spirituality and the teachings of Heinz Grill. They discuss the religious impulse, finding truth from within, ashram living, Father Bede Griffiths, Heinz Grill, qualities of soul, informing asana with imagination, essence and meaning, inspired wisdom, heart to heart communication, source, spiritual laws, maintaining integrity, subtle energy, and recognizing when truth is embodied and expressed.

J gives himself space to air out some of the burning questions he has been pointing to of late. He discusses the in's and outs of wisdom teeth removal, complimentary alternative medicine, claims and broken promises, the slippery slope of email tracking, feeling disheartened, leaning into yoga, being a good person, letting go of identity around a professional career, and returning to the underground lifestyle that allows yoga to remain authentic.

Frank Jude Boccio, host of Pobsa’s Dharma Lounge Podcast, returns again to talk with J about ethical foundations in Buddhism and naturalistic explanations for the origins of evil. They discuss the evolution of their conversations over the years, language models and biology, mindfulness education, the Buddha's manhood, criticizing nondualism, awakening, and the conditioned responses that keep us from being intimately present.

Jillian Pransky, author of The Power of the Pause, talks with J about becoming present, open, and gently alert. They discuss reconciling our fathers, falling in love with practice, the gift of feeling OK, buddhist meditation, boundaries, the difference between understanding and agreement, taking wise action, receptivity, longer classes, the LAR-LAR method, the vagus nerve, the psoas muscle, a little bit often equaling a lot, and pausing as an act of love.

Andrew McGonigle, author of The Physiology of Yoga, talks with J about the confluence of studying medicine, teaching anatomy, and finding identity. They discuss going to medical school, transcendental meditation, getting a job at TriYoga, moving to California, debunking misleading claims, addressing pain, shoulder surgeries and knee replacements, relationship to aging, engaging spiritual aspects, and developing a sense of inquiry and awe.

Mary Wagstaff, host of Wild Sobriety, talks with J about overcoming addiction and devotion as a center for change. They discuss experimenting with substances, holistic seeds of breath awareness, seva program at Kripalu, self-observation without judgement, choosing sobriety, curiosity, sacred time-outs, intrinsic moral codes, embodiment tools, ecstatic dance, glorifying God, and moving towards a version of ourselves that honors our values.

Brett Parris, author of Yogic Metaethics: Comparing Patañjali’s Yoga, Nondual Śaivism, and Vedānta, talks with J about the links between spirituality and morality. They discuss inappropriate behavior from gurus, practical vs normative ethical theories, definition of metaethics, morality before Patanjai, satva orientation, theism in Samkhya and Vedanta, Abhinava Gupta, divine will, codes of conduct, and viewing the phenomenal world with grace.

Maile Wicklander, founder of Tula Yoga in Chicago, talks with J about staying committed to a deeper model of yoga when the market often rewards otherwise. They discuss her unusual path from industrial organizational psychology to yoga center ownership, craving community, combining somatics, lease agreements and registration software, price increases, class titles and formats, and finding sources of hope in what excites us.

Jordan Ashley, PhD, founder of Souljourn Yoga, talks with J about the ethics of running retreats and teacher trainings in the Global South. They discuss seeing through the eyes of different cultures, the darker side of voluntourism and orphanage tourism, NY Yoga circa 2016, becoming disenchanted with the yoga industrial complex, savior-ship mentality, operating as a nonprofit, and raising funds for causes we can believe in.

Sage Rountree, coauthor of Yoga Off the Mat: A Practical Guide to the Wisdom of Yoga, talks with J about exploring the deeper aspects of yoga in ways that are accessible and useful. They discuss knowing when to walk away from long held classes, pre/post pandemic numbers, representations of asana, co-creative learning, retirement, primers for complexity, encompassing more than physicality, and learning to find the comfort in comfort.

Rebecca Sebastian, host of the Working in Yoga Podcast and founder of Inside Yoga Magazine, returns to talk with J about challenges and possibilities for yoga professionals. They discuss data that confirms an industry contraction, getting lumped in with Pilates, pivoting away from owning centers, transferable skills, trade organizations, value of spreadsheets, retirement plans, and a small window for hope.

Chad Herst, author of The Performance Trap: The Ache No Success Will Ever Fix, talks with J about departing from deeply ingrained patterns and the nature of embodiment. They discuss coming to yoga through grief, going to Mysore in the early 90's, witnessing abuse, injuries, pressure to be successful, aftermath of fallen gurus, boom and bust times, radical transparency, healing. connection, and letting yourself be humbled by life.

Leslie Kaminoff, co-author of Yoga Anatomy, returns to talk with J about his recent blog post on the impact of AI on creators and beyond. They discuss intellectual property theft, industrialized systems of deception, chair yoga, appropriate use of technology, relating to language models, agential medical care, faking expertise, avoiding slop, policy positions, and where to draw the necessary lines to ensure that human beings remain in the equation.

Joe Simek, co-owner of Dragonfly Yoga, returns to talk with J about his inquiries into religion and the nature of non-duality. They discuss aspects of Quakerism and community-led worship, good and evil, value systems, understanding the divine, the point of nonduality, personal relationship with God, everything as a blessing, devotion to the goddess, suffering, what "thy will" means, and friendships that challenge us to learn and grow.

Paul JJ Alix, founder of Yoga for All, returns to talk with J about the future of his yoga business and the nature of karma. They discuss pricing for home studios, revenue streams and projected profits, people with money, giving stuff away and valuing your work, karma, Ayn Rand, vision of God, Desikachar and yoga sutras, ignorance and salvation, snakes, right and wrong, and the unburdening of our ideas so that truth can be revealed.

Will Revak, co-founder of Orawellness, talks with J about the oral microbiome and dental self-empowerment. They discuss common dental issues, periodontal disease myths, hidden lies in toothpaste labels, decay and enamel loss, choosing a dentist, statistics and outcomes, fluoride vs hydroxyapatite, mindful brushing, xylitol, saliva, Bass method, tongue scrappers, and becoming an effective steward of your oral microbiome.

Troy Hadeed, founder of Beyond Yoga and author of My Name Is Love: We’re Not All That Different, talks with J about coming to know the love of God. They discuss Bob Marley and Jesus, moving away from the church, connecting to Christ, yoga in Trinidad, Sean Corn, breath practice as prayer, divine agency, slippery Gnostic slopes, grounding through faith, the one thing that makes us all the same, and the moment when truth is no longer in question.