Rod and I have been friends on social media for awhile now but we have never interacted (as what happens often with social media and networking).

In this podcast, we talk about how Rod found the Dharma, his journey to writing and eventually editing for both Wisdom Publications and then later, Lion’s Roar. Rod started his own independent magazine (zine) originally to highlight how Buddhism shows up in different areas of our culture.

We talk about Canadian winters, mindfulness and anxiety, how digital publishing is changing the way we get our information and more!

See Rod Meade Sperry's articles here at Lion's Roar.
Check out Rod's books here on Amazon.
Here is the book Rod brought up in our discussion: Relax & Be Aware: Mindfulness Meditations for Clarity, Confidence and Wisdom by Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Podcast edited by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio, www.trainsoundstudio.com

Love The Tattooed Buddha content? Check out our website!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Contact us at editor@thetattooedbuddha.com.

A few weeks ago Gary Sanders went on retreat and took temporary vows to be a monk.

Gary walks us through some of the aspects of this process, such as wearing robes all of the time (including while he slept), eating only two meals a day, no dancing and singing and shaving his cherished beard. He explains why he chose to temporarily ordain, his experiences with retreats in the past and the fact that he likes to push himself. We discuss the concept of how retreats can be for the privileged, and opportunities that are available to open up these up to more people.

This was a fun conversation that could have easily gone on for much longer!

Podcast edited by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio, www.trainsoundstudio.com


Check out Dhamma Sukha American Buddhist Forest Tradition Meditation Center

Check out The Buddhist Recovery Network

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Contact us at editor@thetattooedbuddha.com.

Today we talk to Gary Sanders, Rebekah Reineke and David Jones about their experiences in the Jehovah's Witness community. While Gary and Rebekah grew up within the religion, David entered (and bowed out) later on in life. We discuss the framework behind the cult, the control tactics and how they have moved on a healed.

Have you been in a similar situation and need someone to talk to? Here are a few resources:

Talk Space
Cult Escape
Leaving the Witness
Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

Podcast edited by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio, www.trainsoundstudio.com

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Contact us at editor@thetattooedbuddha.com.