Amber Karnes, creator of Body Positive Yoga, joins J for a talk about making the ends meet as teachers in the new landscape. They are both in the midst of moving and navigating the ways they can make a living and, after canceling a number of times, they jump into a conversation despite not feeling all that up to it. Fortunately, coming together on the challenges they are facing is a welcome release and serves to reaffirm their resolve.

Sadia Bruce, a friend and fellow teacher, posted something about one of J’s podcasts that ruffled his feathers some so he decided to bring her on the show to talk about it. But the conversation ended up going in unexpected directions as J learns that Sadia has come to a crossroads in her career and is considering leaving the profession. They talk about racism, prejudice, and the difficult grind of making a livelihood as a yoga teacher.

Joe Sandor, a budding yoga instructor who recently discovered the podcast, sent J an intriguing email and he thought it would be fun to bring him on to talk about it. They discuss Joe’s 9-5 job at the State Department, the role that showers played in his entrance into yoga, the inner workings of Core Power, and his experience of teacher training. They go on to consider some of the current economic models for teachers and what else might be possible.

India Supera, founder of the Feathered Pipe Foundation and Ranch, graces J with a conversation on a most auspicious day. They discuss the turns of history and politics that shaped her journey to the east, the happenstance that brought her back and birthed the Feathered Pipe, and the many incredible people who make pilgrimage there. They also celebrate the magic that brings them together and the joy of J’s inaugural visit to the ranch.

Andrew Tanner, official spokesperson for the Yoga Alliance, invites J to the Yoga Journal Conference NYC 2017 to discuss recent developments at YA and the future of the yoga industry. Recorded in front of a live audience, Andrew fills J in on the hiring of YA's new CEO, the election of a new head to the board, and the idea for change that the organization is embarking upon. They also field questions from the audience and discuss trends.

After Jivana Heyman, founder of Accessible Yoga, invited J to moderate a panel discussion at the Accessible Yoga Conference NYC, they have a chance to speak about the origins of Jivana’s work and the mission of the conference. Jivana shares how he transformed the horror of the AIDS crisis in 1990’s San Francisco into the gift of making Yoga accessible to everyone. The discussion also touches on the power of love and community. to heal.

Sam Rudra Swartz stops by the center in Brooklyn to talk with J about the Accessible Yoga Conference and his long-time relationship with Integral Yoga. They discuss his formative years becoming a resident of both the Yogaville Ashram in Virginia and the Integral Center in NYC, the onset of his physical ailments and the process of overcoming them, and his work in making yoga more accessible to everyone.

Anna Guest-Jelley, founder of Curvy Yoga, knows J from way back when in the early yoga blogosphere days. After getting a PR workup on her new book and feeling a bit jealous, J gets over himself and talks with Anna about her road to greater body acceptance, the influences that have presented challenges, the practice she discovered, the teaching she developed, and the culmination of her new book.

J sits down with his old friend, Zack Kurland. They started out in the yoga word on parallel tracks but Zack ended up taking a different turn ten years ago. They finally get a chance to talk about the way things went and how they are now. Zack discusses his studies in Yoga and Ayurveda, the early NYC days, his experience in yoga-related businesses, starting the Breathing Project with Leslie Kaminoff, and his decision to depart the yoga profession.

J talks to Dylan Galos, a podcast listener who sent an email that hit home and ended up challenging preconceived notions. They discuss Dylan’s bi-racial roots, his relationship to fitness, the PHD he is almost done with on intergenerational child abuse, and the realities of navigating yoga studio culture as an independent teacher who doesn’t fit the conventional molds. The conversation also touches on ways we can overcome our divides.

Beth Donnelly Cabán, long time friend of J and co-producer of The Essential Prenatal Yoga Video with Beth Donnelly Cabán, talks with J about their connection through his center in Brooklyn, the early NY yoga world that brought them together, Beth’s relationship with Integral Yoga, and the release of their new video. J and Beth’s producer, Josh Sitron, also jumps on to share the process and purpose behind facilitating their work.

Donna Farhi talks with J about her experience going from dance to Iyengar Yoga to “the refinement of natural and universal movement principles that underlie safe and sustainable Yoga practice.” They commune on a range of pressing topics that are affecting the yoga world today, including the lack of foundational understanding about Yoga, ethical behavior, pedogogy, and the kinds of questions that best encourage a healthy way forward.

Mike Huggins, founder of Transformation Yoga Project and author of Going OM: A CEO's Journey from a Prison Facility to Spiritual Tranquility, talks with J about the turn of events that took him from the top of a corporate ladder to federal prison. They discuss his work in applying yoga practices for addiction recovery and trauma-related issues, the personal realities of incarceration, and serving on a board together at Liberation Prison Yoga.

Peter Blackaby, author of Intelligent Yoga, talks with J about how he went from Iyengar yoga and an anatomical approach to a view that encompasses the complex relationship between things. They discuss some of his influences, including Vanda Scaravelli, Serge Krakovetsky, and Stanley Kellerman, the idea of functionality, and letting go of yoga practice as a form of physical exercise.

Helene Courvrette, co-founder of MISTY-Montreal International Symposium on Therapeutic Yoga, talks with J about her passion for bringing people together to share and learn. They discuss some of the deep tragedies and losses that Helene has endured, how they led to the work she does as a Yoga Therapist and organizer of MISTY, and the miracle of life that fueled it all. They also touch on the difficulties of organizing events and yoga centers.

Alex Auder, director of Magu Yoga and old friend of J, talks about her mothers' relationship to Andy Warhol, growing up in the Chelsea Hotel, NYC in the 80’s, the early formative times of Jivamukti Yoga, and the fierce determination of independent yoga center owners to make shit happen. They also compare and contrast the current landscape of social media and teacher trainings with how things were in the older days of yoga industry.

Dui Turner and Carol Horton have a conversation with J about the Yoga Service Council and the recent publication of Best Practices For Yoga WIth Veterans. Dui shares her story of nineteen years in military service, her passion for the healing arts, and how she is bringing them together. Carol joins in to speak about her role on the council and to give further insight into the process of creating consensus and community.

J brings Theo Wildcroft on the show after a lovely shout-out online that also included a playful jab about the lack of guests from outside North America. They discuss her research inquiring into the democratization of physical practice, the convergence of yoga and activism, and the radical impact of “pagans doing yoga in fields.” Theo was also around for the Anusara meltdown, and teaches yoga to children with special needs.

Serendipity brings Douglas Rushkoff, author of Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus and Aleister & Adolf, and host of Team Human podcast, to J’s basement for a conversation on the digital age and the economic effects of information technology on human well-being. They discuss Rushkoff’s writing trajectory, chronicling the evolution of the internet from its early open source origins to its corporate controlled iteration of today.

J has the honor of talking to Brenda Feuerstein, wife of the late Georg Feuerstein. Georg’s writings have been a huge influence on J and this was a special opportunity to learn about a man he considers a teacher but never met in person. They discuss Brenda’s relationship to Georg, on both personal and professional levels, and the work of continuing his legacy. They share in mutual appreciation for the deeper aspects of practice.