New Books Network Podcast

Indian Religions August 11, 2022

Letters from the Yoga Masters

Teachings Revealed through Correspondence from Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda, and Others

Marion (Mugs) McConnell

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

This intimate and insightful account of the life of Dr. Harry (Hari) Dickman, referred to by Swami Sivananda as “the yogi of the West,” features more than fifty years of …

Indian Religions July 19, 2022

The Light We Give

How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life

Simran Jeet Singh

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

An inspiring approach to a happier, more fulfilling life through Sikh teachings on love and service. As a boy growing up in South Texas, Simran Jeet Singh and his brothers …

Life Wisdom November 24, 2021

Song of Your Soul

A New Translation of Bhagavad Gita

Atmadarshan Laura Santoro

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

Raj Balkaran interviews Atmadarshan Laura Santoro co-owner of Dharma Kshetra Yoga and author of forthcoming book The Song of Your Soul (an original new translation of the Bhagavad Gita) on …

Life Wisdom September 22, 2021

Mark Van Buren on Meditation and Mindfulness Training

Mark Van Buren

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

This podcast features the wisdom and work of Mark Van Buren, Bergen County's go-to guide for all meditation and mindfulness-based training. With well over a decade of experience in the …

Life Wisdom August 25, 2021

Pamela Ayo Yetunde on being Black and Buddhist

Pamela Ayo Yetunde

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What does it mean to be black and Buddhist, and what does that have to do with Life Wisdom? This episode of Life Wisdom features the dynamic work of Pamela Ayo …

Life Wisdom August 18, 2021

Oneika Mays on Wisdom and Social Activism

Oneika Mays

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

How do you engage in social activism in a healthy, balanced sustainable manner? This podcast features the considerable social justice wisdom of Oneika Mays (she, her, certified meditation teacher, E-RYT …

Indian Religions August 11, 2021

Embodied Philosophy

A Conversation with Jacob Kyle

Jacob Kyle

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

Raj Balkaran speaks with Jacob Kyle about the genesis and vision of the online educational platform Embodied Philosophy. Over the course of their rich conversation, they touch on contemplative studies …

Life Wisdom July 21, 2021

Darren Main on Inner Tranquility

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

In this episode of Life Wisdom we speak with yoga and meditation instructor, Darren Main, who is author of Inner Tranquility: A Guide to Seated Meditation, Yoga and the Path …

Indian Religions July 15, 2021

Is this Yoga?

Concepts, Histories, and the Complexities of Modern Practice

Anya P. Foxen and Christa Kuberry

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

This book provides a rigorously researched, critically comparative introduction to yoga. Anya P. Foxen and Christa Kuberry's Is this Yoga?: Concepts, Histories, and the Complexities of Modern Practice (Routledge, 2021) recognizes the …

Life Wisdom July 7, 2021

Elder Little Brown Bear: Healing Wisdom from a Métis Elder

Director of Aboriginal Education, Michael Garron Hospital

Elder Little Brown Bear

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

Elder Little Brown Bear (Ernest W Matton) is a spiritual ambassador who blends Traditional teachings with mainstream information to provide holistic healing approaches for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members and …

Life Wisdom June 30, 2021

Ben Williams on Contemplative Education

Assistant Professor, Naropa University

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

Is it possible to integrate scholarly study with contemplative practice? What are the benefits and potential pitfalls of doing so? Join us as we speak to Dr. Ben Williams about Naropa …

Life Wisdom June 23, 2021

Chris Chapple on Nonviolence as Pandemic Wisdom

Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Loyola Marymount University

Chris Chapple

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

How can the doctrine of nonviolence help us cope with these troubled times? Join us as we speak to Dr. Chris Chapple, Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola …

Life Wisdom June 16, 2021

Brian Collins on Indian Mythology

Professor, Department of Classics and Religious Studies, Ohio University

Brian Collins

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What insights on the human experience can we find in ancient Indian mythology? Join us as we speak to Dr. Brian Collins (Associate Professor, Chair Department of Classics and Religious …

Life Wisdom June 9, 2021

Frank Clooney on “The Scholar-Practitioner”

Jesuit Priest, Professor, Harvard Divinity School

Frank Clooney

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

To what extent should scholarship foreground the beliefs and experiences of the scholar producing it? Where does the scholar-practitioners fit at the academy today? Join us as we explore such …

Life Wisdom June 2, 2021

Ruth Roth on the Wisdom of the Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Women Priests of Canada

Ruth Roth

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What wisdom does the Roman Catholic Church hold for our modern world? Can it become more inclusive? Join us as we speak to Ruth Roth, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest …

Life Wisdom May 26, 2021

Arti Dhand on The Mahābhārata

Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Arti Dhand

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What does the Mahābhārata – a gargantuan epic tale from ancient India – have the teach about life wisdom? Learn three core themes of the ancient Sanskrit epic – along …

Life Wisdom May 19, 2021

Ian Whicher on Yoga Philosophy

Ian Whicher

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What does yoga have to do with wisdom? What do traditional yoga texts teach about the human experience? What relevance does ancient Indian yoga have to the modern world? Learn yogic …

Life Wisdom May 12, 2021

Bhaktimarga Swami on Devotion

ISKCON Leader

Bhaktimarga Swami

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What does it mean to be a Swami? This podcast features words of wisdom from ISKCON Leader Bhaktimarga Swami. In drawing from his ISKCON journey which began in 1973, we …

Life Wisdom May 5, 2021

Brian Carwana on World Religions

Executive Director of Encounter World Religions

Brian Carwana

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

Why study World Religions? This podcast features words of wisdom from Dr. Brian Carawana, Executive Director of Encounter World Religions who advocates for widespread religious literacy. We learn core insights Dr …

Life Wisdom April 28, 2021

Bhante Saranapala on Kindness

The Urban Buddhist Monk

Hosted by Raj Balkaran

What does wisdom have to do with kindness? This podcast features words of wisdom form Bhante Saranapala, also known as The Urban Buddhist Monk. An International Monk, Teacher, and Speaker …