Best Theo Burkhardt Podcasts (2024)

1
Mood Making and Authenticity 42:17

1M ago42:17

42:17

You’ve seen them, people trying too hard, taking themselves too seriously, putting on a show, straining to appear of a higher status or consciousness state or social status than maybe they are. Perhaps you have caught yourself giving off an impression as opposed to just being your sweet but not-always-so-glamorous self. You’d think in spiritual com…

1
The Man Behind "Be Here Nowra" with Barron Hanson 53:22

2M ago53:22

53:22

Meditation is a solitary practice right? Not necessarily. Our latest guest on our podcast is not only creating community through this individual practice, he is also pioneering a study on the effect of deep meditation on the collective consciousness. We are delighted to have Barron Hanson on our podcast. Barron is a fellow Vedic Meditation teacher …

1
A Story of Survival and Recovery with Odette Nyiramilimo 1:28:36

3M ago1:28:36

1:28:36

It is hard to imagine violence on the scale that occurred 30 years ago this spring in Rwanda. But for our guest, Odette Nyiramilimo, she doesn’t have to imagine, she can remember. We are so honored to have Odette on our podcast. She is not only a medical doctor who with her husband founded the first private maternity and pediatrics clinic in Rwanda…

1
Raising Up Women, Raising Up Rwanda with Mary Balikungeri of the Rwanda Women's Network 1:01:11

7M ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Thirty years ago, the world stood by as over 800,000 people were brutally killed in Rwanda over a period of three and a half months. The aftermath seemed insurmountable, yet today, Rwanda stands as one of Africa's safest destinations, boasting a stable political environment. This remarkable transformation is indebted, in large part, to resilient in…

1
Bringing Peace to the Middle East 52:25

9M ago52:25

52:25

The world has been a witness to one of the deadliest conflicts in recent memory this fall with the Isreali/Palestinian conflict, and so many of us are feeling an urgency to help with no clear direction as to how. In this episode, we interview our colleagues, David Lahav and Emily McCarthy, two Vedic Meditation teachers based in Colorado who have re…

1
Spiritual Ambition 45:28

10M ago45:28

45:28

We’re taught from when we are little to be ambitious in order to achieve what we want, but what if what we want is to strive for something that is already within us, enlightenment? In a teaching that expounds not looking to the future for happiness, where does something like ambition fit into such a philosophy? And is enlightenment envy a thing? In…

1
Revealing the Luminous Self 44:09

12M ago44:09

44:09

Two years ago, we spoke with Tracee Stanley, founder of the Empowered Life Circle, about her book "Radiant Rest," and it was one of the most memorable interviews we’ve hosted on this podcast. We are honored to have her on again to talk about her new book, "The Luminous Self," which comes out in October. Tracee’s new book paints from a palette of he…

1
You Deserve the Best 1:02:25

1y ago1:02:25

1:02:25

You deserve the best. Never feel unworthy or not justified in having the best. I tell you, this is your heritage; but, you have to accept it. You have to expect it; you have to claim it. To do so is not demanding too much. These powerful words come from Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, better known as Guru Deva, the master of our tradition from which V…

1
Have Meditation, Will Travel with Théo Burkhardt 1:02:33

1+ y ago1:02:33

1:02:33

As teachers of meditation, we’re always talking about the journey inward. But what about the outer journey, is there a spiritual value in traveling the world? In this episode, we have a delightful conversation with fellow Vedic Meditation teacher and avid world traveler Théo Burkhardt about why we yearn to see far off lands and how the exploration …

1
A Beautiful Life: In Memory of Nicole McCracken 54:00

2y ago54:00

54:00

This is a very special episode where we honor the memory of Nicole LeVeck McCracken who dropped her body this past September after a long battle with cancer. Nicole was a Vedic meditator on her way to becoming a teacher of the practice she loved so dearly as well as an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor who had passed the steps to hundreds of people look…

1
Light in the Jungle with Rachel Hogan of Ape Action Africa 54:55

2y ago54:55

54:55

It’s no secret that our lack of awareness as a society is doing great harm to the planet as well as all of its creatures. In this episode, we are thrilled to speak with one of those who are holding back the tide of destruction, Rachel Hogan, director of Ape Action Africa. Rachel has devoted the last 20 years to primate conservation in Cameroon and …

1
The Light Inside with Joh Jarvis 55:33

2y ago55:33

55:33

Meditation is all about letting the light in. In this episode, we speak with Joh Jarvis, Vedic Meditation teacher and founder of the Light Inside, who is on a mission to let the light find its way into prisons and jails. Joh talks about what it was like teaching men in maximum security at Rikers Island Correctional Center in New York as well as wom…

1
What Holds You Back Can Set You Free 31:06

2y ago31:06

31:06

There is one constant in the human condition and that is the desire for growth. However, we all have these different issues, habits, or patterns that seem to hold us back and keep us from living life to the fullest. But what if it were those very traits that held the secret to our evolution? In this episode, Isabel and Kristen explore this revoluti…

1
Creation, Maintenance, and Destruction. 58:24

2y ago58:24

58:24

Knowledge is for action! And in this episode Beanie and Torpohangdroop discuss the subtle laws of nature that conceives, constructs, maintains, and dissolves creation. How do we perceive the mechanics of these laws and collaborate with them? Why is it important and how, through better understanding, can we leverage this knowledge so our lives are m…

1
Setting and Dissolving Boundaries 40:52

2y ago40:52

40:52

Boundaries are a fascinating subject because according to the Vedas, they don’t really exist. When we want to manifest, boundaries are created, when we want to unify, boundaries are dissolved. What that looks like in our own lives is setting healthy personal boundaries while at the same time dissolving all boundaries in meditation as well as witnes…

1
Everyone is on a Spiritual Path 47:33

2+ y ago47:33

47:33

There are some that proudly proclaim they are on a spiritual path while others want nothing to do with it. However, spirituality is not something you can be "into" or not, everything is spirit. We are all devoted something, the question is what do you worship? What is getting the bulk of your attention? Do you worship your problems by thinking of t…

1
The Benefit of the Doubt 1:03:44

2+ y ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Brienne and Théo explore the topic of doubt. Doubting our meditation, if enlightenment is a real state of consciousness we can experience, doubt about if this is a cult or religion. Doubt about everything! But also the benefit of doubt and skepticism and how they can drive us towards personal research through direct experience instead of just relyi…

1
Feeling Helpless to Help 37:10

2+ y ago37:10

37:10

Every day the news seems to get worse and worse. The sense of urgency builds and yet for most of us ordinary people who live thousands of miles away, we feel helpless. In this episode, Kristen and Isabel confront their own moments of helplessness in the face of global tragedy and discuss how meditation itself works to cool the collective. Listen in…

1
Letting Go of Resistance 47:14

2+ y ago47:14

47:14

So much of what we want out of life does not require more effort and struggle, we simply have to stop resisting and allow what already is. As they say, “what we resist persists.” But how do we learn to let go and simply relax and enjoy? In this episode, Kristen and Isabel examine the root causes for our resistance and define how the inner resistanc…

1
What does Enlightenment Sound Like? (The Music Episode!) 1:15:21

2+ y ago1:15:21

1:15:21

What does enlightenment sound like? In a wild departure from the typical STE form, Brienne and Théo each curate ‘enlightenment playlists”, discussing what states of consciousness and an enlightened experience might be like in music form. Headphones required and volume up! This podcast was mixed and mastered to be loud. Spotify playlist of songs and…

1
New Year's Orientations 35:59

2+ y ago35:59

35:59

If you had to pick a word to describe how you want to experience this new year, what would it be? 2022 seems to have us all cautiously optimistic. While we’re all still licking our wounds from the last two years, we also seem to be eager to make the most of what’s to come, hence New Year’s resolutions. However, instead of making resolutions which t…

1
Navigating Holiday Family Drama 49:01

2+ y ago49:01

49:01

There’s that famous quote by Ram Dass, “If you think you’re enlightened, go spend a week with your family.” It is an almost universal condition that spending time with family at the holidays can be triggering like little else, even for avid meditators. In this episode, Isabel and Kristen explore their own journeys with relating to their families an…

1
Our 1 Year Podcast Anniversary (and a bit on back support and desires). 1:06:50

2+ y ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Brienne and Théo reflect on the past year since they started Slouching Towards Enlightenment; the knowledge, the jokes, the guests, and the ever growing community of Vedic Meditators. They also discuss the importance of back support and the mechanics of following charm and desires.By Théo Burkhardt and Brienne Rose

1
The Line Between Loneliness and Solitude 47:34

2+ y ago47:34

47:34

These past couple years, it could be argued that loneliness is like a second epidemic. And with the holidays coming up, feelings of isolation are intensified. But being alone does not necessarily cause loneliness. In this episode, Isabel and Kristen look at the line between loneliness and solitude from many angles. They look at how stress causes a …

1
Freedom Behind Bars with Saskia Niño de Rivera 48:06

3y ago48:06

48:06

There are those among us who are shining light in the darkest of dark places. In this episode, we speak with Saskia Niño de Rivera, who is basically a one-woman revolution to reform the Mexican penal system. Through her organization, Reinserta, Saskia works with kidnappers, incarcerated mothers and children brought up in prison as well as teenagers…

1
The Birth of a Mother with Jess Osie 1:04:07

3y ago1:04:07

1:04:07

When we become a mother, we take on an ancient role that extends far beyond simply feeding and clothing our children. In this episode, we speak with our good friend and colleague Jess Osie, Vedic Meditation teacher and the founder of the Vedic Mamas Circle, a group she created specifically to support meditating mothers in all stages of motherhood. …

1
A Stuntwoman's Big Break (Into Consciousness) 57:46

3y ago57:46

57:46

Introducing our dear friend, very special guest, and stuntwoman extraordinaire; Hayley Wright! Hayley sit down with Brienne and Théo to discuss how the break she needed from her work as a stuntwoman lead her Vedic Meditation on the eve of the pandemic. Now a devoted practitioner of Vedic Meditation, Hayley joins Slouching Towards Enlightenment to d…

1
Hot Cream and the Over-Breathers. 1:02:37

3y ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Théo and Brienne yap, gab, and persiflate about the "highest" states of consciousness beyond Unity Consciousness, kundalini experiences, how to meditate while co-habitating with babies. They also find their new band name, HOT CREAM! (Trigger warning: We say "hot cream" more than once in this episode.)…

1
Spreading Inspiration with Light Watkins 51:22

3y ago51:22

51:22

Merriam-Webster’s definition of inspiration is “to move or guide by divine influence.” This episode, we are talking to someone who embodies this more than anyone else we know, and has literally wrote the book on it. We’re talking about our friend and colleague Light Watkins (@lightwatkins). If you haven’t heard of him, you will notice him now. He’s…

1
Overcoming Spiritual Passivity 44:37

3y ago44:37

44:37

To be a spiritual person does not give us a free pass to remove ourselves from the need of the times. On the flip side of that, to be an activist does not mean you have to be angry. In this episode, Isabel and Kristen explore how enjoy fulfillment where everything is experienced as One and knowing that all is happening for all reasons while also fe…

1
Waiting for the Rainbows 56:49

3y ago56:49

56:49

Théo and Brie's friend group in Santa Fe have a tumultuous week (more like two weeks) filled with all kinds of challenges. Every single friend in the group is met with an unforeseeable curveball, dose of drama, or an emotional or physical stressor. Usually in times like this, the go-to person to consult is the meditation teacher. But what happens w…

1
Grieving the Youngest Losses 47:21

3y ago47:21

47:21

IN MEMORY OF ARTEMIS VANDIVIER, LOST 7/11/21 Like a night sky of stars, the memories of babies who lost their lives as they began shine in the hearts of countless mothers and fathers. Yet it’s not talked about much, and for so many parents, grief walks with them wherever they go. This is a particularly personal episode as Kristen and Isabel discuss…

1
The Power of Radiant Rest with Tracee Stanley 58:04

3y ago58:04

58:04

We live in world that glorifies busy-ness and the never-ending pursuit of “more.” Our guest reminds us all that we need to go in the other direction, in the direction of rest, in order to experience fulfillment. We are honored to have Tracee Stanley, renowned teacher of yoga nidra and meditation share her wisdom with us today. Tracee travels the wo…

1
Spiritual Gaslighting 47:21

3y ago47:21

47:21

The term spiritual gaslighting, also known as spiritual bypassing, has been increasingly in the public consciousness, but it’s not always clear when teachings such as “everything happens for all reasons” or “everything is one,” do more harm than good in the listener if their lived experience feels invalidated. In this episode, Isabel and Kristen ta…

1
Are You Doing Your Two Minutes??? 1:11:07

3y ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Brienne (who celebrates her ONE YEAR MEDI-VERSARY today) and I discuss that 2-minute bit at the end of our meditation where we integrate and rest before opening our eyes. Recorded in the kid's room, surrounded by toy instruments and a sleeping dog, we reunite for a little slouch and a touch of enlightenment.…

1
Selflessness and Meditation 44:48

3y ago44:48

44:48

If you’ve been accused of being “selfish” for your meditation practice, you wouldn’t be the first. Some people think going within when there is so much that needs doing outside is self-indulgent, or they have expectations for your actions and can’t stand to see you do “nothing.” Usually these people are not meditators themselves as meditation is in…

1
Identifying the Need of the Times 45:01

3y ago45:01

45:01

For all of us, there is always one most evolutionary action at any given time. An action that is both the most progressive for our individual growth and the growth of everyone else. But how do we know what that action is? In this episode, Kristen and Isabel explain how, through intuition and following inner charm, one can correctly identify how to …

1
Connecting Through Relatability 46:39

3+ y ago46:39

46:39

The wellness world has gotten caught up in the trend of putting forth an unrealistic, “aspirational” image as a way of selling itself. This type of inauthenticity, however, can be separating, with an undercurrent of “you are lacking” in the messaging. Turns out relatability is critical to connecting with others and is far more inspirational than an…

1
The Power of the Present 48:28

3+ y ago48:28

48:28

Everyone’s heard the command, “Be present,” but how do you maintain presence for more than a few seconds? Turns out presence comes from Being, so it just is. It cannot be forced but is the natural result of consistent meditation practice. However, there are some strategies you can employ in the waking state to help get you there. In this episode, I…

1
Healing from the Inside Out 43:15

3+ y ago43:15

43:15

When illness or injury strikes, we tend to turn on ourselves. We get frustrated with our bodies, frustrated with the “set back” and we direct all that negativity towards ourselves. It seems the world and almost everyone in it is in need of some deep healing, but we have to relearn how to heal. What if we turn our loving attention towards our ailmen…

1
March 4th (March Forth) 1:18:17

3+ y ago1:18:17

1:18:17

What's it like to practice Vedic Meditation for 3 months? How about a year? 5 years? 10 years? What transformational effects does transcending on a regular basis do to a person? Every year on March 4th, Théo celebrates his "Mediversary". Find out how 13 years of dedicated practice transformed Théo and the perspective he has now that it's been over …

1
The Practicality of Meditation with special guest, Michael Gross (Family Ties, Tremors) 1:03:30

3+ y ago1:03:30

1:03:30

In this episode we welcome our hilarious and insightful guest, Michael Gross! Michael Gross was America's Dad in the 80's when he stared in Family Ties, and Théo's dad when he wasn't working on set. In this episode he shares his journey of learning meditation (at a bargain price), practicing, straying away, and returning to it with a deeper commitm…

1
What It Really Means to Be Well 1:05:53

3+ y ago1:05:53

1:05:53

We have lost our sense of what it means to be really and truly well. Even those in the “wellness” industry often push body ideals and routines that are not healthy for everyone. We are thrilled to have Rana Haddadin (@ranayu_1) as our guest, who, with her husband Rodrigo de la Barrera, founded Ranayu in order to bring the knowledge of Ayurveda and …

1
It's Not All Happy, But It is All Beautiful 41:08

3+ y ago41:08

41:08

We can get stuck in this idea that we are supposed to be happy all the time and when we aren’t happy, we want to just fast forward through whatever we are experiencing. But while not all situations are happy–for example there are times of loss and struggle and transformation–they are all part of the larger story of life and we can experience them a…

1
Where did Vedic Meditation come from? 1:09:39

3+ y ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Brie and Théo discuss the science and origins of the Veda (where Vedic Meditation comes from). What IS the Veda? Or, what ARE the Vedas? What do the Vedas say about consciousness, and our place in the Universe? What's the connection between our meditation and these ancient hymns, or cognitions? Come take a stroll with us down Vedic Lane and find ou…

1
How Ayurveda Can Help the World 57:13

3+ y ago57:13

57:13

Ayurveda is riding a wave of popularity, but while most think of it as a dietary system or self-care regime, Ayurveda is so much bigger than that. Dylan Smith, the founder of Vital Veda and one of the world’s foremost Ayurvedic practitioners talks to us about how to find balance with nature whether that is balance within our own individual body or …

1
"Rock Consciousness" with our first guest! Cassidy Freeman! 56:21

3+ y ago56:21

56:21

My charming and brilliant friend Cassidy Freeman, actress (HBO's Righteous Gemstones), snowboarder, thrower of clay, and meditator extraordinaire, shares how she learned Vedic Meditation, went to India, and what it was like to experience true effortlessness.By Théo Burkhardt and Brienne Rose

1
States of Consciousness (but mostly Cosmic Consciousness). 51:14

3+ y ago51:14

51:14

Fasten your seatbelts and make some nachos! In this award-winning (we think) episode, Brienne and Théo prattle, blather, and yackety-yak about various states of consciousness, including the first stage of enlightenment, Cosmic Consciousness!By Théo Burkhardt and Brienne Rose

1
Art, Meditation, Social Media, Oh My! 56:58

3+ y ago56:58

56:58

By Kristen Vandivier

1
Why So Serious? 51:21

3+ y ago51:21

51:21

When did everything get to be so serious? Granted, it’s been a heavy year, it really has, and finding the path back to a light-hearted way of life can be pretty obscured in the midst of everything that’s been going on. And isn’t it insensitive to experience joy with so much suffering is going on in the world? In this episode, Isabel and Kristen mak…

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