Best Tricycle Talks Podcasts (2025)

1
Breathing Mindfulness with Sarah Shaw 59:36

9d ago59:36

59:36

Over the course of the last hundred years, breathing mindfulness has become the most popular method of meditation around the world. Yet its history remains largely unrecorded. In her new book, Breathing Mindfulness: Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path, scholar Sarah Shaw provides a historical survey of some of the methods of br…

1
'Whippet Tricycles & Canary Cages' aka Q&A Session 50:41

10h ago50:41

50:41

Send us a text If you thought the last episode was a good one then you're in for a real treat with this! Our first Q&A Podcast of the new series sees #TeamTRIL go through a raft of questions posed by our subscribers. Our Japanese word of the week segment gets another look in, plus the usual trolling of Russell! There's even an opportunity to learn …

1
'A New Season of Rambling' aka Problem Solving Exploits 43:32

12d ago43:32

43:32

Send us a text Series 2 gets underway with a belter! #TeamTRIL share some of their problem solving experiences (good & bad). There's some good old-fashioned 'kimono opening' by the guys along with Russ' Japanese Word of the Week and his "Ambush Question". There will definitely be some 'Restless Reflection' in this section of the Pod, including: Is …

1
How to Stay Engaged without Burning Out with Daisy Hernández 58:09

19d ago58:09

58:09

For the next few episodes of Life As It Is, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, and meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg will be talking about specific themes that have been coming up in their practice, with a particular focus on navigating our current social and political climate. In this episode, they discuss how to stay engaged without burn…

1
The Edge of Language with Arthur Sze 56:24

23d ago56:24

56:24

For poet and translator Arthur Sze, poetry offers a way to ask difficult questions without any expectation of an answer. “It helps us slow down, hear clearly, see deeply, and envision what matters most in our lives,” he told Tricycle in a 2020 interview. “When one reads a poem, one has to pay attention to the sounds of words, to the rhythm of langu…

1
'Look after our SMEs and Apprentices!' aka Highlights from the Make UK Conference 43:10

26d ago43:10

43:10

Send us a text As Series 1 comes to a close #TeamTRIL discuss Russ' recent visit to the Make UK Conference in London. As well as playing 'Word Bingo' and fine craft beers (don't ask!!), some of the key questions, posed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, are shared, providing an opportunity for the guys to offer their thoughts on those very important topi…

1
Classroom Mindfulness Put to the Test with Emma Varvaloucas 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

Emma Varvaloucas is the executive director of the Progress Network, a nonprofit media organization that aims to take a constructive approach to solving some of our most intractable problems. In her article in the February issue of Tricycle called “Classroom Mindfulness Put to the Test,” she explores the surprising results of recent research on mind…

1
'Talking Japanese' aka The merits of using foreign words in your business 40:45

1M ago40:45

40:45

Send us a text The Team discuss the use of non-native words and phrases within your business. Do they help or hinder? #Jugaad makes an unexpected appearance! Do Three-letter acronyms count as a foreign language? John Dee. DEE Enterprise Excellence Ltd. www.dee.uk.net Alan Lothian. 3A Business Excellence Ltd. www.aaabel.co.uk Russell Watkins. Sempai…

1
The Grieving Body with Mary-Frances O'Connor 1:15:44

2M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Grief is often thought of as a psychological phenomenon. Yet loss also has a profound impact on our bodies, often affecting our cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems. As a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Arizona, Mary-Frances O’Connor specializes in studying the physiology of grief. In her new book, The …

1
A Journey through Buddhist History with Donald S. Lopez Jr. 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

Donald S. Lopez Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan and a longtime Tricycle contributing editor. In his new book, Buddhism: A Journey through History, he lays out a comprehensive introduction to the history of Bud…

1
'A Borg Mentality' aka Starting your lean journey 55:13

2M ago55:13

55:13

Send us a text This episode is a real rollercoaster of a podcast! The TRIL Team offer their thoughts on a question about how to start your lean journey if your the leader of a business. They cover the capabilities required to make highly effective people within your lean organisation. Also some great questions to ask when trying to establish how ef…

1
Uprooting Harmful Habits with Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John 48:02

2M ago48:02

48:02

Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is a senior teacher in the Triratna Buddhist Community, and their work focuses on how Buddhist teachings can support a sustainable path to recovery. In their new book, First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviors, they lay out practical tools for uprooting harmful habits, building emotional re…

1
'The Best Operator' aka Buddy Plants & Creating Pull 51:23

2M ago51:23

51:23

Send us a text This episode is jam-packed with tips and stories from our previous lean exploits. Picking up from an audience question, the team quickly get on to the topic of discussing their 'Best' Operator experiences. Also, how lean (if applied effectively) should helping the operator through making life less painful whilst maintaining safety le…

1
Planting the Seeds of Happy Relationships with Kimberly Brown 56:20

2M ago56:20

56:20

Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and author based in New York City. In her new book, Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connections with Your Partner, Family, and Friends, she lays out a practical guide to help us cultivate and maintain healthy relationships with the people who matter most to us. In this episode of L…

1
How to Lose Yourself with Jay Garfield 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

No-self is a core teaching across Buddhist traditions. Yet what does it look like to actually live without a self? In How to Lose Yourself: An Ancient Guide to Letting Go, scholars Jay L. Garfield, Maria Heim, and Robert H. Sharf present a series of accessible and engaging translations of key Buddhist texts on why we are selfless persons—and why th…

1
'A Dose of 5S Part 2' aka When is a red tag NOT a red tag? 45:14

3M ago45:14

45:14

Send us a text This episode continues from the great discussions the team had previously on 5S (or 5C) Alan, Russell & John reflect on their experiences on 5S activities they've led over the years The purpose of 5S The real intent of the red tag (which may surprise a few!) When red tags are not allowed?? Pointers on conducting an effective 5S activ…

1
'A Dose of 5S?' aka It's a model not a script! 45:21

3M ago45:21

45:21

Send us a text In this episode, the guys give their views and responses to some of the subscriber questions, including a continuation from our previous episode around 'The Toughest Job'. Having discussed what the guys have been up to since they last met, the episode primarily focussed on 5S (or 5C, Workplace Organisation, etc). One of the foundatio…

1
'The Well Meant Intent' aka The Toughest Job (and how to help) 48:51

3M ago48:51

48:51

Send us a text In this episode, the guys give their views and responses to some of the subscriber questions, including the power of perspective! Russell also poses the question on what is the toughest role in an organisation. Many of you maybe surprised by our responses!! As ever, the TRIL Team share their experiences on all of the above, and provi…

1
'Skip Diving / The Live Pareto' aka Data & Digital Transformation Tips 46:47

3M ago46:47

46:47

Send us a text In this episode, the guys discuss Data and Digital Transformation. From the pitfalls of planning and preparation to simple, low cost alternatives to converting data into accurate information quickly, allowing you to make the right decisions fast! John tries out his new E-Bike and finds an old photo from his distant past which some of…

1
'Check-in Fury' aka The Importance of Effective Start of Shift Briefs 39:33

3M ago39:33

39:33

Send us a text In this episode, the guys find out that the podcast is gaining global reach and they take some Q&A from the audience. They also offer their take on the importance of starting your shift well and how to make your start of shift briefs as effective as possible. Last but certainly not least, don't miss Alan's rant about a recent airport…

1
'Night Silos' aka The nature of night shifts, and avoiding silo mentality 45:10

3M ago45:10

45:10

Send us a text In this Episode, the boys discuss amoungst other things, The culture challenges and advantages of working on Night shifts. Also we look at the importance of avoiding departmental or 'Silo' mentality. Russel also shares a top tip for our subscribers to try. If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to lo…

1
'First visit Tips' aka How to understand a company quickly 12:18

3M ago12:18

12:18

Send us a text In this Episode, the boys share some quick and easy techniques to learn about a company on a first visit, or to find out more about your own company. These techniques will often lead to insights and opportunities to improve If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you are up f…

1
'Avengers assemble' aka How we got started in Lean 27:05

3M ago27:05

27:05

Send us a text In this episode, the boys share how they first got into Lean, and start to debate what makes someone well suited to a role as a 'change agent' If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you are up for a laugh, and want to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how lean really works f…

1
Learning from Silence with Pico Iyer 58:12

3M ago58:12

58:12

After his family home burned down in a California wildfire in the 1990s, journalist Pico Iyer found refuge in an unlikely location: a small Benedictine hermitage outside of Big Sur. Though Iyer initially arrived looking for a bed to sleep in, he soon found the silence of monastic life transformative, and over the course of the past thirty-three yea…

1
Embracing Our Limitations and Making Time for What Counts 48:37

4M ago48:37

48:37

Oliver Burkeman is an author and journalist based in northern England. In his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts, he lays out a practical guide for living meaningful and fulfilling lives as finite, imperfect humans. In this episode of Life As It Is, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, Jam…

1
Everything Is Buddha with Noelle Oxenhandler 50:51

5M ago50:51

50:51

Noelle Oxenhandler is a writer and longtime Tricycle contributing editor based in northern California. Recently, she has been thinking a lot about what it means to be ready to die—and what will happen to all her belongings when she does. In her article in the November issue of Tricycle called “Everything Is Buddha,” she explores the sense of obliga…

1
Finding Joy in Everything We Do with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche 48:13

5M ago48:13

48:13

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and author based in southern Colorado. In his new book, Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor of the Buddhist Path, he draws from the teachings of the 8th-century Buddhist philosopher Shantideva to explore how we can meet the world with joy and openheartedness. In this episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricy…

1
Saraha, Poet of Blissful Awareness with Roger R. Jackson 1:09:45

5M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

When Roger R. Jackson was an undergraduate at Wesleyan, he came across the verses of Saraha, a 10th-century mystic known for his fierce exhortations to cut through the layers of delusion in order to experience the true nature of mind directly. While Saraha is considered one of the founders of the Vajrayana tradition and has been incorporated into a…

1
How to Grieve What We've Lost with Sameet Kumar 55:17

6M ago55:17

55:17

Sameet Kumar is a clinical psychologist at the Memorial Cancer Institute and Moffitt Hematology and Cellular Therapy program. His work focuses on mindfulness-based approaches to grief and loss. In his new book, How to Grieve What We’ve Lost: Evidence-Based Skills to Process Grief and Reconnect with What Matters, which he co-wrote with four other th…

1
Abortion and Buddhist Ethics with Katy Butler 49:36

6M ago49:36

49:36

When journalist Katy Butler first committed to the Buddhist precepts, it didn’t occur to her to consider her two abortions in their light. Now, fifty years later, she has come to understand abortion in the context of harm reduction and the alleviation of suffering. In her article in the November issue of Tricycle called “Abortion and the First Prec…

1
Picking Up the Pieces in a Postapocalyptic World with Vajra Chandrasekera 55:05

6M ago55:05

55:05

Vajra Chandrasekera is a novelist based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His new novel, Rakesfall, follows two characters as they're reincarnated across histories and worlds from the mythic past to modern Sri Lanka to the far future Earth through endless epicycles of love, violence, and betrayal. In this episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief,…

1
A Safe Place to Fall Apart with BJ Miller 54:40

7M ago54:40

54:40

When BJ Miller was a sophomore in college, he climbed atop a commuter train and was immediately electrocuted, causing him to lose both legs and half an arm. In the aftermath of his own near-death experience, he turned to the arts to make sense of his injuries and to grapple with questions of disability and what it means to live a good life. Miller …

1
Becoming Thay with Adrienne Minh-Châu Lê 43:37

7M ago43:37

43:37

Thich Nhat Hanh was one of the most influential figures in contemporary Buddhism, from his founding of the Order of Interbeing and the Plum Village Tradition to his popularization of Engaged Buddhism. Yet his background is often overlooked. Adrienne Minh-Châu Lê, a Columbia University PhD candidate in international history, is one of the first scho…

1
A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism with Cortland Dahl 1:20:13

7M ago1:20:13

1:20:13

Cortland Dahl is a Buddhist scholar, translator, meditation teacher, and contemplative scientist based in Madison, Wisconsin. In his new book, A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism: The Path of Awareness, Compassion, and Wisdom, he offers an accessible introduction to Buddhist principles and practices through the lens of the three yanas, or vehicles. In …

1
Breaking Bias with Anu Gupta 55:10

8M ago55:10

55:10

Anu Gupta is an educator, lawyer, research scientist, and meditation teacher, and his work focuses on harnessing mindfulness and compassion practices for social change. In his new book, Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From—and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them, he weaves together Buddhist teachings and insights from mod…

1
I'm Mindful, Now What? with Andrew Holecek 1:10:12

8M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Mindfulness has become ubiquitous as a practice. Yet according to meditation teacher Andrew Holecek, mindfulness is not enough to meet the challenges of the modern world. Holecek is a teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition who leads workshops on meditation, dream yoga, and preparing for death. In his new book, I'm Mindful, Now What?: Moving Beyo…

1
US Poet Laureate Ada Limón on Returning to Wonder 59:58

8M ago59:58

59:58

Ada Limón is the 24th Poet Laureate of The United States and the author of six books of poetry. Her most recent project, You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, is a collection of poetry that she edited in collaboration with the Library of Congress focused on how poetry can help us reconnect to the world around us. In this episode of Tricycle Ta…

1
'There Is No Enemy' with George Mumford 58:19

9M ago58:19

58:19

It can be so easy to get trapped in feelings of jealousy and envy, particularly in the context of competitive environments. According to meditation teacher George Mumford, one of the best practices for working with envy is cultivating mudita, or sympathetic joy. Mumford has worked as a mindfulness coach and sports psychologist for three decades, an…

1
Transforming Grief into Wisdom with Sister Dang Nghiem 57:29

9M ago57:29

57:29

Born in Central Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War, Sister Dang Nghiem grew up singing made-up songs to comfort herself and express her suffering. After moving to the US, she began writing poetry at the encouragement of an English teacher, and eventually, she ordained as a nun in the Plum Village tradition following the sudden death of her pa…

1
Practical Tools for Uprooting Anger with Thubten Chodron 49:44

9M ago49:44

49:44

In tumultuous times, it can be easy to turn to anger. But according to Venerable Thubten Chodron, from a Buddhist perspective, anger is never useful. Venerable Chodron has been a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition since 1977, and she is the founder and abbess of Sravasti Abbey in Washington State. In her book, Working with Anger: Buddhist Teachi…

1
Everyday Enlightenment with Susan Kaiser Greenland 50:26

10M ago50:26

50:26

Enlightenment can often sound like an unattainable goal. But mindfulness teacher and author Susan Kaiser Greenland believes that we can find enlightenment in every moment. In her new book, Real-World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life, she draws from various wisdom traditions to lay out practical tools for easing anxiety and…

1
Already Free with Bruce Tift 51:43

10M ago51:43

51:43

Bruce Tift is a psychotherapist and longtime practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism. In his book, Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path to Liberation, he lays out why he believes that the approaches of Buddhism and Western psychotherapy are fundamentally irreconcilable—and what we can learn from holding these contradictory energies sim…

1
Warrior Zen with Cristina Moon 58:01

10M ago58:01

58:01

At the age of 25, Cristina Moon sat her first ten-day meditation retreat to prepare for the possibility of arrest and torture inside military-ruled Burma. While Moon acknowledges the naïveté of her initial intent, on the retreat she nevertheless discovered not only a method to withstand pain but also a new way of seeing the world that set her on a …

1
Weathering the Eight Worldly Winds with Ethan Nichtern 53:50

11M ago53:50

53:50

In the midst of constant change, it can be easy to feel knocked around by forces outside our control. In Buddhist terminology, these forces are often referred to as the eight worldly winds: pleasure and pain, praise and blame, fame and insignificance, and success and failure. According to meditation teacher Ethan Nichtern, working with these pairs …

1
Awakening in Every Moment with Kazuaki Tanahashi 43:17

11M ago43:17

43:17

Kazuaki Tanahashi is an artist, translator, calligrapher, and environmental activist and peaceworker. In his new book, Gardens of Awakening: A Guide to the Aesthetics, History, and Spirituality of Kyoto’s Zen Landscapes, he explores the contemplative art form of Zen gardening and discusses why he believes gardens are an essential instrument of awak…

1
Why Actor Michael O’Keefe Renounced His Buddhist Vows 48:13

12M ago48:13

48:13

Michael O’Keefe is an actor, poet, and lyricist—and he’s also a former Zen priest. In his article in the Spring issue of Tricycle, “The Lost Robe,” he explores what led him to renounce his vows and leave the priesthood. In this episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, sits down with O’Keefe to discuss his path to ordina…

1
Calling on Our Ancestors with Kaira Jewel Lingo 54:11

12M ago54:11

54:11

When she was just 11 years old, Kaira Jewel Lingo already knew that she wanted to be a nun. Fourteen years later, she ordained in the Plum Village tradition, where she trained closely with her teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, for fifteen years. In her new book, Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation, which she co-…

1
At the Crossroads of Buddhism and America with Helen Tworkov 46:27

12M ago46:27

46:27

Helen Tworkov grew up in a family of artists where art was considered the religion. Yet from an early age, she sought another kind of religion—one that would address deeper questions of the nature of truth and the self. After traveling throughout Asia and experimenting with a variety of New Age practices, Tworkov eventually arrived at Buddhism—and …

1
Facing Injustice with Joy with Dr. Kamilah Majied 1:00:08

1y ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Dr. Kamilah Majied is a mental health therapist, clinical educator, and consultant on advancing equity and inclusion through contemplative practice. In her new book, Joyfully Just: Black Wisdom and Buddhist Insights for Liberated Living, she draws from Black cultural traditions and the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism to lay out a path to liberation …

1
Transmuting Generational Grief with Jungwon Kim 56:00

1y ago56:00

56:00

In the face of global crises and catastrophes, how can we work with our anger effectively? And how can we channel our grief and rage without becoming consumed by it? These questions are at the core of Jungwon Kim’s practice. Kim is a multidisciplinary communications strategist and advocate who has chronicled frontline environmental and human rights…

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