On the occasion of the 10-year anniversary and 500th episode of the show, J reflects on the state of the yoga profession and industry. He discusses the progression from blog writing to podcasting and his latest post entitled "What I've Learned About Where We Are," the effects of the pandemic on attendance patterns and the role of teachers, myths about marketing, status of the center J opened, and facing grim outlooks with courage.

Lora Markova and Katharine Scalora, founders of Earth & Aerial Yoga in Hudson MA, talk with J about the advantages of owning an aerial yoga studio. They discuss Lora's previous career in media and Katharine's background, providing immediate gratification, logistical realities, how Covid killed their traditional classes, remaining grounded in yogic principles, injuries, enrollment policies, and charting a new path to evolve aerial yoga.

Pamela Weber, co-founder of NATA Yoga in Paris, talks with J about the uncertain future that independent centers face and the determination that keeps them going. They discuss her life as an academic and moving to Paris, teacher training before 200hr certification, giving up tenure for yoga, the subversive nature of opening a center, erratic attendance and rising expenses, Swami Kripalu, and holding to a current of surrender and love.

Kelli Hansel and Shawn Lindsay, owners of Indigo Yoga in Caldwell NJ, talk to J about taking over a studio and reaching for more than just being OK. They discuss the yoga scene in the rural Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, learning from DVD's and correspondence courses, finding teachers on Instagram, not starting from scratch, business models and teacher-centered policies, small town feels, and prioritizing a shared human connection.

Josh Thomas and Geoffrey Dugue, hosts of the Love for the Unseen God Podcast, talk with J about opening to transformational grace and a personal relationship with Jesus. They discuss observed experience as a basis for truth, nonduality and a creator, discerning man-made religion, comparing unitarian and trinitarian views, emptiness and being born again, Genesis I and III, Shanti and Shalom, and the peace of choosing to follow Jesus.

Kevin Flynn, one of the founders of Christians Practicing Yoga, talks with J about the intersection between Yoga and Christ. They discuss the history of the show and how it has led to this topic, benedictine monks, embodied faith, christian ashrams, Patanjali, communion vs union, liberating Christ from Christianity, ways to follow Jesus, demons, the battle for souls, being saved, fellowship, and benefiting from a personal relationship with God.

Britta Van Dun, founder of Intuitive Health & Healing, is an old friend of J's and they talk about attuning to the subtle and healing with soul through acupuncture. They discuss exploring healing modalities in the early aughts, intersection of Chinese medicine and yoga, links between physical and energy bodies, actuality of needles, movement of meridians, resting in stillness, and being servant to something much greater than ourselves.

Chara Caruthers returns to talks with J about the therapeutic value of psychedelics and the questions their use raises. They discuss connections between meditation and psychedelics, transpersonal psychology, abuses in plant medicine, bad trips, ontological shock, intervention vs practice, machine elves, research and legalization, personal/professional ethics, intention, and the capacity to make meaning of our lives.

Lauri Nemetz, author of The Myofascial System in Form and Movement, talks with J about interpretations of anatomy and thinking in different ways about the human body. They discuss visual rhetoric and memorization, dance movement therapy, fascial lines and/or systems, dissecting embalmed vs unembalmed tissue, Body Worlds art exhibit, interfacing with doctors, and inquiring into the beauty and wholeness of our material frames.

Jeff Bailey, author of Mobility for Life: Healthy Joints, Strong Bones, and a Peaceful Mind with AVITA YOGA®, talks with J about interrupting patterns of pain and letting love be a guide. They discuss growing up with a veterinarian father, connections between Rolfing and A Course in Miracles, labral tears and joint compression, hyperextension, body organization, arthritis, hip replacement, and allowing peace and spirit to carry us through.

Kari Harendorf, co-founder of Better Yoga, talks with J about reviving old models with new eyes. They discuss the East Village NYC scene in the early aughts, her dog Charlie, longevity of boutique studios, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, Kripalu, the moment when the world fell apart, Ayurveda schooling, productive rest, becoming a better listener, elusive truth, and holding it all with the preciousness life deserves.

Ruth White, author of Presence: The Truth of Yoga, talks with J about egos, teaching methods, and meeting the needs of students. They discuss BKS Iyengar's penchant for "waking you up," friendships between teachers and students, masters becoming famous, Vanda Sacaraveli, Dona Holloman, merits of teaching Savasana, succession of lineage, attitudes towards pain, standardization and expression, and slowing down to come together.

Tim Kelleher, founder of Boston Yoga Union, talks with J about the trials and tribulations of being a yoga center owner then and now. They discuss being naive when the pandemic hit, legal action and predatory capitalism, a life threatening struggle with substance abuse and feeling safe in your body, attendance patterns, lack of full-time yoga teachers, faith in something bigger, and the soul encouragement of connecting with others.

David Swenson, author of Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow, talks with J about his new memoir and the evolution of styles and systems. They discuss doing yoga from a book, leaving home at a young age, emergence of vinyasa, beliefs about gurus, Patabhi Jois, the Hari Krishna Movement, spiritual communities, abbreviated forms, retirement, ego gratification, proof being in the person, and the value of lightheartedness in practice and life.

Jahnavi (Claire) Missingham talks with J about living a life and having a profession in yoga. They discuss being raised by a devout Sufi and going by different names, NY from 1997-2005, music in classes, Jivamukti training, teachers being placed on pedestals, HOME Wellness opening up in London, Kundalini yoga, Yogaglo, DVD's and Yoga Journal, devotion and Hinduism, and finding our way back to who we really are inside.

Andrew Tanner, founder of the Berkshire Yoga Festival and the American Yoga Council, talks with J live from the Berkshire Yoga Festival 2025 about the launch of his new project to advance the profession of yoga teaching. They discuss the long history of standards and trade organizations, retirement funds, standards and a new system, proficiency-based education, incentive structures, career paths, and helping yoga teachers make a living.

Reika Shucart, host of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, talks with J about what has become of studio culture and the realities of the profession in 2025. They discuss the differences between Japanese and American cultures, international development and volunteer tourism, teaching 28-30 classes/week, online training, mirrors, vegetarianism, lifestyle and identity, ashtanga active series, and getting outside the box to inspire students.

Paul Bramadat, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at University of Victoria and author of Yogalands: In Search of Practice on the Mat and in the World, talks with J about letting your body settle the score and the anthropology of yoga. They discuss transformation and academic dispassion, religious studies and small p politics, skepticism from academic circles, coping better, and connection to what animates your curiosity.

Reggie Hubbard, founder of Active Peace Yoga, talks with J about recovering from a stroke and praying instead of protesting. They discuss his background in politics, the impact of 9/11, realities of a broken system, working for Bernie Sanders, navigating dark nights of the soul, political neutrality as a privilege, having a stroke, turning to sound for healing, addressing dis-regulation, and gratitude for every little miracle.

Aimee Echo, founder of Community Yoga Club/Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach, talks with J about the carrying on of tradition and the evolution of practice. They discuss parallel scenes in 90's LA and NY, sub culture of Mysore rooms, Patabhi Jois, studying with Sharath and Shruthi, authorization agreements and certification, Jois Yoga, Sharath's death, new "active" series, Desikachar, and casting a shorter net to invite more serious inquiry and practice.