Best Vanessa Vasquez Podcasts (2024)

1
Giving myself permission to create, by Hrishikesh Hirway 35:25

42m ago35:25

35:25

On his podcast and TV show Song Exploder, Hrishikesh Hirway digs deep into the creative process of legendary songwriters. But before Hrishikesh becomes a podcast creator, he's a working musician himself … who finds his ability to create being slowly drained away by self-doubt. He stumbles into a case of songwriter’s block that lasts him nearly seve…

1
Finding permission to pursue my own dreams, by Josh Radnor 25:13

9d ago25:13

25:13

Tuxedo-clad, face covered in makeup, hair slicked and parted in the middle, jumping around a creaky stage, teenage Josh Radnor (now an actor, producer and director) makes a life-changing discovery: He can act. And he loves it. But what to do now? At 16 years old, all Josh knows is that his ambition to act is at odds with everything that surrounds h…

1
Have faith, but tie your camel first, by Wajahat Ali 31:48

16d ago31:48

31:48

It's early morning. A hotel room. Wajahat Ali, playwright and author, is traveling for work when he gets a call from his wife – she's sobbing, panicked, heartbroken. Their tiny daughter, Nusayba, has been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. And time stops. What can he do? Rage. Despair. Sob. Fight. Then ... let go. Waj shares the story of how his young…

1
Where the water takes me, by Donald Miralle 27:13

10d ago27:13

27:13

Twenty-four long miles into a grueling paddleboard competition, photographer Donald Miralle sights the buoy that tells him he's just a few miles from home. But what should offer a sense of relief provokes a feeling of dread. His body shuts down, his muscles refuse to work, his motivation dwindles. With nothing left to summon, he is desperate to qui…

1
A funny rush of surprise, by Gordana Biernat 34:45

14d ago34:45

34:45

Gordana Biernat grows up in a household full of mayhem and darkness. But there’s one saving grace: her grandfather, who spins legendary stories of the quirky folkloric magic he sees all around them. In today’s Meditative Story, Gordana talks about reopening herself to the unseen and the “funny rushes of surprise” she encounters all around her when …

1
From dark times come new discoveries, by Vanessa Hua 32:34

27d ago32:34

32:34

As the pandemic drags on, Vanessa Hua finds herself in a dark place of panic and doom-scrolling. But that begins to change on one spring day, when she takes a walk outside with her kids – and recognizes a small jewel-green plant growing on the forest floor. Her discovery of wild food foraging helps her tap into a body of shared, ancient knowledge, …

1
What deep listening unlocks for me, by Henry Shukman 37:15

28d ago37:15

37:15

As a boy in Oxford, Henry Shukman seeks refuge from a painful childhood by disappearing into poetry, immersing himself in nature. But the beauty and clarity he finds there is only fleeting. A series of visits with a mysterious old family friend help him to understand that experiencing beauty — and its extraordinary gifts — doesn’t have to be a chan…

1
Discover the power of self-compassion, by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado 41:15

1M ago41:15

41:15

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is the first openly lesbian woman to climb the famous Seven Summits, a bucket list of the highest mountain on every continent. But while preparing for the seventh summit, a peak that has eluded her climb after climb, she realizes that she can’t charge forward with the same conquering mentality. Denali — the highest mountain pe…

1
Jacob Sartorius: I take a breath. I buy myself a moment. 32:20

1M ago32:20

32:20

Jacob Sartorius has been making music and short videos since he was a kid. By age 14, he had millions of social media followers who loved his honest, heartfelt content. But on the flip side of that love, he discovered a darker side to his celebrity — one that took him by surprise and threatened his own well-being. Until a simple technique, and a ne…

1
We become the places we love, by David Whyte 35:28

2M ago35:28

35:28

As the wind howls around his camping caravan on a remote Welsh farm, poet David Whyte sits at a table, trying – and failing – to write. He's worried he has lost his gift. He's worried he never had a gift at all. But just outside, invisible and unexpected, is someone who offers him help – and friendship – at the exact moment he needs it. Their lifel…

1
Nate Berkus: Designing your space in the world 29:25

2M ago29:25

29:25

When young Nate Berkus pushes open the door to his new bedroom, an unfinished space in his family home, he doesn’t know it yet – but he’s opening the door to a new vision of what his life can be. A life that he can design for himself. Because sometimes, choosing a new paint color is shorthand for choosing a new path. If this episode resonates with …

1
How to find – and feed – your passion, by Danny Meyer 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

Restaurateur Danny Meyer takes us back to where it all began for him: a family trip to Europe and a simple plate of pasta. That memorable meal sparked a lifetime practice of discovery that continues to feed his creativity and his soul. If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by …

1
What's most vital is right in front of me, by Stephen Wilkes 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

Stephen Wilkes has a unique approach to photography that requires a sustained focus to capture subtle changes in light and perspective. The same could be said of the way he cared for his mother, whose resilience and love belied the trauma she experienced as a refugee from the second world war. Though it often falls on young Stephen to manage her sp…

1
Stories my father told me, by Lindsey Stirling 27:53

3M ago27:53

27:53

There he is: pacing around the campfire, contemplating, ruminating. Then, with a crooked, mischievous smile, he begins. “Here’s a story…” This is a memory violinist Lindsey Stirling will always carry of her dad, the tireless storyteller, telling the tallest of tales, dreaming the biggest of dreams. But also a man who couldn't quite see his life-cha…

1
We're doing this thing together, by Kristin Windbigler 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

Rural California is all Kristin Windbigler knows as a child — its wild, green pastoral landscape, where living off the land and self-sufficiency is a choice to live abundantly. One evening, gathered around the television with her mom and dad, Kristin watches a news report that suggests families like hers, living below the poverty line, are in criti…

1
Duff Goldman: Speaking without words 32:13

3M ago32:13

32:13

Throughout his life, pastry chef Duff Goldman — best known for his long-running Food Network show Ace of Cakes — is driven by his desire to make things and see them out in the world. As chef, painter, woodworker, and musician, he strives to deliver a visceral sensation with his art that is sometimes hard to express in words. This week, Duff shares …

1
My battle as a beginner opens up a world of wonder, by Nataly Dawn 40:58

4M ago40:58

40:58

When Nataly Dawn’s family moves from the U.S. to a tiny town in the middle of France, she finds herself unable to speak, read, or even play the way the other kids do. It’s embarrassing, being a rock-bottom beginner in 5th grade — but as she slowly learns the language, she finds a new kind of joy in the process of discovery. The singer-songwriter wh…

1
Let them see you cry, by Reshma Saujani 32:55

4M ago32:55

32:55

Reshma Saujani, activist and founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, prides herself on being in control. She’s always been the one to say “I got this.” But after years of struggling to achieve her lifelong goal of being a mother, the weight of powering through the pain gets to be too much. In this week’s story, Reshma learns that instead of white…

1
Aasif Mandvi: Getting out of my own head 28:53

4M ago28:53

28:53

Actor, writer and comedian Aasif Mandvi has given us so many laughs in his role as a correspondent on The Daily Show – on stage and in television and films. But when a doctor diagnoses him with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), he has to come to terms with his own vulnerability and the unpredictability of life. This eventually leads him to imagine a …

1
Introducing: Offsite Adventures 20:15

4M ago20:15

20:15

From the team behind Meditative Story, we're happy to share the first episode of Offsite Adventures, our newest show uncovering the gems, magical moments, and unique learnings in iconic business travel destinations. Three minutes before midnight in Times Square, one of the most trafficked commercial centers in the world momentarily transforms into …

1
Move forward without moving on, by Kelly Rizzo 31:15

5M ago31:15

31:15

When Kelly Rizzo’s husband Bob Saget passes away without warning, she’s faced with the challenge of moving forward day by day without leaving her memories of Bob behind. As she processes her grief, Kelly reflects on the way her father left his home country and never returned, but realizes that his memories of that place will always be a part of him…

1
Staying insightful, playful, and alert, by Rohan Gunatillake 16:06

5M ago16:06

16:06

This April Fool’s Day, Rohan embraces the sense of play that exists in all of us, designing a unique meditation to foster a feeling of alertness on this day of pranks. He then invites you to take on the mantle of the wise fool, that all-seeing court jester who upends convention and ensures that we all see the world through a brighter lens. Meditati…

1
To do hard things, be adaptable, by Alex Honnold 27:53

5M ago27:53

27:53

Alex Honnold, renowned rock climber and the subject of the documentary Free Solo, has always known how to do hard things. Yet he’s also had to learn that his drive to push himself will only take him so far. In today's episode, he tells the story of how he’s come to understand the importance of reading the conditions of the environment, and learning…

1
Finding inspiration from strong women, by Rohan Gunatillake 12:49

5M ago12:49

12:49

In honor of International Women’s Day, Rohan relates the story of a woman who greatly influenced his journey towards mindfulness and unknowingly helped shape the course of his life — Gaia House co-founder Christina Feldman. As this calming and enlightening anecdote unwinds, Rohan invites you to reflect on the strong women in your own life and exami…

1
How I connect to my unique place in history, by Zuri Adele 34:07

6M ago34:07

34:07

Actress Zuri Adele, known for playing Malika Williams on the popular Freeform show Good Trouble, spent parts of her childhood largely isolated. But while attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Zuri becomes immersed in the rich history and ritual of the African diaspora. This week, Zuri shows us how embracing her community and her unique place in his…

1
Stay open to find belonging, by Tami Simon 35:10

6M ago35:10

35:10

Tami Simon, founder of the spiritual wisdom publishing house Sounds True, goes through much of her life feeling like an alien. Often misunderstood, Tami yearns to discover where she fits in. In today’s episode, she shares the story of how an otherworldly experience teaches her that she can tune into the frequency of finding belonging. Listen to Hen…

1
Rethinking our relationship with time, by Rohan Gunatillake 11:08

6M ago11:08

11:08

What can we discover about time when we slow down and focus on each passing moment? This Leap Year gives us a special opportunity to reflect on our relationship with time. Join Rohan in this guided meditation about the nature of time, and how to embrace the fact that time, at its core, means change. We value your input. Please find the Meditative S…

1
Redefine your generational patterns, by Marcia Gay Harden 37:10

6M ago37:10

37:10

Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden recognizes that, like so many of us, she is who she is because of the people that raised her. In this episode, Marcia Gay tells the story of how she’s learned to reevaluate all that she inherited from her parents, and to let go of learned patterns that no longer serve her. To hear more from M…

1
My side hustle to a better life, by Rachel Cargle 33:58

6M ago33:58

33:58

Growing up, Rachel Cargle was used to seeing things her family couldn’t afford. As she got older, became a writer, lecturer, and philanthropist, she continued to seek opportunities just beyond her grasp. Hard work and creativity allowed her to grow successful as an entrepreneur, but deeper challenges still remained. In this episode of Meditative St…

1
Recognize the healing powers of your gifts, by Ruth E. Carter 40:00

7M ago40:00

40:00

Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has long been able to tap into her unique gifts as an artist to create beauty. In today’s episode, she shares how she learned to use her gifts to create opportunities for healing as well, especially when mourning the loss of her friend and colleague Chadwick Boseman. Find Ruth on Instagram: http…

1
Finding steadiness and stability — a practice for distracted minds, by Rohan Gunatillake 14:13

7M ago14:13

14:13

When life pulls us in a million different directions, it’s easy to feel distracted. The harder it is to quiet our minds, the more difficult it can be to find the moments of peace that are so essential to our well–being. In today’s meditation, Rohan guides us through three tools that can help us build our practice of finding steadiness and stability…

1
Show up for yourself to show up for others, by Jefferson Fisher 38:03

7M ago38:03

38:03

Lawyer and master communicator Jefferson Fisher loves taking care of other people. You can feel this in the supportive videos he posts on his wildly popular social media channels. Again and again he puts the wants and needs of others ahead of his own. In his story this week, Jefferson discovers the power of showing up for himself, and when he does,…

1
Release the expectations that limit you, by Lulu Wang 35:36

7M ago35:36

35:36

Lulu Wang, writer-director of The Farewell, and Expats, grows up in a family where the expectations for her future are clear: she’s destined to become a piano prodigy, and she must be grateful for the sacrifices her parents have made to give her that opportunity. In today’s episode, Lulu tells the story of how she finally finds her own space away f…

1
Embracing everything life has to offer, by Garrett McNamara 39:23

7M ago39:23

39:23

Garrett McNamara is a legend in the surfing world who’s ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet. To maintain his surfing career, Garrett spends all his time and energy chasing the next big swell. But when he unexpectedly gets knocked off his board, he has to step away from doing the thing that makes him the happiest. He tells the story of ho…

1
Rediscover the roots of your joy, by Dr. Kwane Stewart 37:18

8M ago37:18

37:18

CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, has long had a passion for helping animals. Yet when a difficult work environment leaves him entirely depleted, he starts to consider walking away from his profession forever. It’s only when an unexpected encounter reminds him to return to the fundamentals, that he rediscovers the magic o…

1
It's ok to be wrong, by Gretchen Rubin 30:06

8M ago30:06

30:06

Gretchen Rubin is an expert on happiness, and she's spent her career helping people build the habits to achieve it. But she assumed that if something works for her, it should work for just about anyone. A series of chance encounters, and a healthy helping of curiosity, makes Gretchen realize that maybe there isn't one path to happiness after all. T…

1
Creative potential is everywhere, by Jon Foreman 35:23

8M ago35:23

35:23

Jon Foreman is a land artist who uses the raw materials of the environment to create breathtaking ephemeral pieces. His ability to see creative potential all around him is his superpower, but when his life presents him with the unexpected, he has to become more narrowly focused on his responsibilities. In today’s episode, Jon tells the story of how…

1
Tig Notaro: There’s more than one way to get there 33:24

8M ago33:24

33:24

The many highs of Tig Notaro’s comedy career (Emmy and Grammy nominations, creating TV shows, and hosting the “Don’t Ask Tig” podcast) may seem predestined. Yet these are all things that seem beyond the realm of possibility for young Tig. In the early 2000s she’s told that because she’s a woman, and she’s gay, and she’s low-key and deadpan, she’ll …

1
New beginnings, endless possibilities, by Rohan Gunatillake 14:17

8M ago14:17

14:17

At the cusp of a new calendar year, it’s easy to place our attention on things we’d like to change about ourselves. In today’s meditation however, Rohan encourages us to see the abundance of right now instead of what’s lacking, by putting our focus on each new breath, sound, thought, and sensation. It’s a celebration of the new that’s perfect for w…

1
Finding magic in the quiet moments, by Jade Bowler 33:21

8M ago33:21

33:21

As a teenager, Jade Bowler is laser-focused on her dream of leaving home, with ambitious plans for the future. It’s only after her plans fall apart that Jade realizes big achievements aren’t the only thing that can bring her happiness. Reveling in smaller, quieter moments of casual magic shows her the beauty of everyday existence. Listen to Jacob S…

1
Unleash your inner lion, by Jen Hatmaker 41:09

8M ago41:09

41:09

Jen Hatmaker — author and host of the For The Love podcast — is a charismatic, natural born leader. But growing up, Jen believes there are only certain roles women like her can be expected to perform. Roles that are always secondary to men in leadership. This week, Jen tells the story of embracing her inner lion and learning that we can be powerful…

1
Feeling safe, sound, and at peace while you travel, by Rohan Gunatillake 12:49

9M ago12:49

12:49

Whether it’s by train, plane, or automobile, travel can produce a lot of stress in both the body and mind. Luckily, there are some simple things we can do to provide ourselves with relief. This week, Rohan shares a meditation designed for the busy travel season, aimed at grounding your body in the present moment no matter where you’re coming from o…

1
Let the symphony of life unfold all around you, by Matthieu Ricard 37:47

9M ago37:47

37:47

Matthieu Ricard, photographer, humanitarian, and author of Notebooks Of A Wandering Monk, has spent years of his life in the presence of some of the world’s greatest mindfulness practitioners and felt the weight of their powerful compassion. In this episode, Matthieu shares how he learned to stop trying to analyze or understand this power, and inst…

1
Embrace every part of yourself, by Suneel Gupta 39:05

9M ago39:05

39:05

Tech entrepreneur and author of Everyday Dharma, Suneel Gupta spends much of his life feeling divided between his Indian and American identities. His desire to fit in with his peers forces him to hide parts of himself and turn away from his true purpose. In this episode, Suneel tells the story of how he finally learned to welcome all parts of himse…

1
What kindness means to us 10:18

9M ago10:18

10:18

At a time when it feels like the world needs kindness more than ever, Rohan and the Meditative Story team share a unique, immersive exploration of the ways kindness can show up in all of our lives, featuring contributions from the Meditative Story community. This purposefully crafted pause from the rigors of daily life is an invitation to cultivate…

1
Jason Mraz: Finding the energy we need, all around us 39:09

9M ago39:09

39:09

In 2009, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is having one of the busiest years of his life. A nonstop tour schedule and monotonous daily routine have completely drained him of the energy he needs to create — the one thing that gives him the most joy. In this episode, Jason shares how an opportunity to disconnect on a four-day hike th…

1
Diana Nyad: Giving life everything we’ve got 31:55

9M ago31:55

31:55

By the 1980s, Diana Nyad had left competitive swimming behind, embarking on a successful career as a sports broadcaster. But after a meeting with “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve — whose throw from a horse left him paralyzed from the shoulders down — she is reminded of a challenge that fueled her early athletic ambitions, and re-commits to living…

1
Rewrite your inner monologue, by Kim Fields 21:58

10M ago21:58

21:58

When the way we talk about our own bodies becomes negative and self-deprecating, it’s time to rewrite that inner monologue. Actress and director Kim Fields, star of The Facts of Life, Living Single, and the Netflix series The Upshaws, leads us through a process of reevaluating the words we say to ourselves. It’s an invitation to send love to every …

1
Small acts of kindness for ourselves and others, by Rohan Gunatillake 12:40

10M ago12:40

12:40

In celebration of World Kindness Day, Rohan shares a simple and enriching meditation centered on the idea of performing small acts of kindness. These little actions can feel inconsequential in the moment, but they often have a ripple effect that expands outward and impacts more than we know. Whether it’s directed at a friend, a stranger, or ourselv…

1
The strength we seek is all around us, by Mirna Valerio 37:08

10M ago37:08

37:08

As a runner of marathons and ultramarathons, author and advocate Mirna Valerio knows a thing or two about finding reserves of power within herself. When she makes the decision to leave her job as an educator and build a new career around inclusivity in the running world, she must find a different kind of strength to take action and learns that it’s…

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Vanessa Vasquez Podcasts

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