Best Benjamin OBrien Podcasts (2025)

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Living as a steward of Vedic wisdom with Amy Landry 1:11:24

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4M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

What happens after you’ve learned a life-changing practice? After you’ve been inspired, read the books, attended the retreats? There’s a turning point for many of us, a quiet and natural shift, where the teachings stop being something we ‘do’ and start becoming who we are. This is the path of stewardship. In this episode, Laura Poole and Amy Landry…

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#32 Jeff O'Brien 1:03:41

7M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

Jeff O'Brien is the city archivist for the city of Saskatoon. Jeff and Nathan discuss topics such as how Jeff became an archivist, history, and outreach. You can find Jeff and the archives at https://www.saskatoon.ca/community-culture-heritage/saskatoon-history-archives/archives

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#31 Terry Damm 55:38

8M ago55:38

55:38

Terry Damn is a professor of pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. Terry and Nathan discuss topics such as how Terry got into pharmacy, what practicing and teaching look like, and video games. @usaskpharmacynutrition on instagram. https://pharmacy-nutrition.usask.ca/index.php…

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Let’s Not Start a Cult: Red Flags, Power, and Ethical Leadership with Sarah Steel 1:10:20

8M ago1:10:20

1:10:20

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Steel, author and host of Let’s Talk About Sects, an award-winning independent podcast about which the New York Times said, "Come for the satisfying pun in the title, stay for the deeply researched chronicles of all kinds of cults." We discuss a topic that’s often misunderstood but deeply important, especiall…

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#30 Dr. Sarah Hoffman 1:32:38

10M ago1:32:38

1:32:38

Dr. Sarah Hoffman is the Department Head of Philosophy and an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Her upcoming work is going to focus on safe use and harm reduction in drug use. Sarah and Nathan discuss topics such as teaching, how to create a cohesive philosophical work, and how philosophical research is done.…

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#29 Dr. Jay Wilson 2:13:47

11M ago2:13:47

2:13:47

Dr. Jay Wilson is the principal of the University of Saskatchewan's Prince Albert campus. He is passionate about teaching, teachers, and students. Dr. Wilson and Nathan cover topics such as multimedia teaching, online classes, and AI in school. Find out more about Dr. Wilson at https://education.usask.ca/people/profiles/wilson-j.php…

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A fresh perspective on menopause with Ayurveda practitioner Erandati Benjamin from Inner Soma 1:12:57

11M ago1:12:57

1:12:57

We are excited to share with you this conversation on an important subject for many women in our community – the rite of passage known in our modern world as menopause. We are joined by Ayurveda practitioner and Vedic wisdom holder Erandati Benjamin from Inner Soma. Erandati has a diploma in Ayurveda from the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Stu…

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#28 James Reichert 1:20:13

1+ y ago1:20:13

1:20:13

James Reichert is a Psychology and Health Studies Lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan. James and Nathan cover topics such as teaching, engaging students, and student feedback. Find James at USASK.

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The dharma and karma of teaching Vedic meditation in prisons with Joh Jarvis from The Light Inside 1:52:06

1+ y ago1:52:06

1:52:06

In this episode Laura Poole speaks with her colleague and friend Joh Jarvis from The Light Inside - a not-for-profit foundation which takes meditation into prisons and jails across the United States. The Vedic perspective is that all change in life begins with a shift in consciousness. This is why meditation is the foundation for bringing us into r…

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#27 Ron Morris 1:40:54

1+ y ago1:40:54

1:40:54

Ron Morris is a business/life coach and host of several mastermind groups. Ron recently published "Happiness: The 40% Solution" and he and Nathan discuss topics such as the book, his masterminds, and why only a 40% solution. Ron and his work can be found at https://www.happinesssolution.ca/

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#26 Peter Alward, PhD 2:19:28

2y ago2:19:28

2:19:28

Peter Alward is a faculty member in philosophy at the University of Saskatchewan. Peter's research areas are the semantics and metaphysics of fiction, propositional attitudes, especially belief reports, interpretation and intentions, and musical ontology. Peter and Nathan discuss topics such as publishing, metaphysics, and philosophy. Find Peter an…

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#25 Kyle Anderson 2:21:50

2y ago2:21:50

2:21:50

Kyle Anderson is a professor of biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at the University of Saskatchewan. Kyle's research areas are technology-assisted learning, active pedagogy, and student engagement. Kyle and Nathan cover topics such as teaching, self-development, and imposter syndrome. Find Kyle and his work at USASK and @DrKyle on Twitter.…

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#24 Jolene Watson 1:15:21

2y ago1:15:21

1:15:21

Jolen Watson is a professional speaker, trainer, and owner of Clarity Coaching and Development. Jolene and Nathan cover topics such as professional speaking, personality, and entrepreneurship. Find Jolene and her work at jolenewatson.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

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#23 Benjamin Hoy, PhD 1:47:41

2y ago1:47:41

1:47:41

Benjamin Hoy is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and author of A Line of Blood and Dirt: Creating the Canada-United States Border across Indigenous Lands. Ben and Nathan cover topics such as games and board games, the history of Saskatchewan, and the history of the Canada-United States border. Find Benjamin's work at https://artsandsci…

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#22 MacKenzie Firus 1:44:10

2y ago1:44:10

1:44:10

MacKenzie is the owner of Peak Climb + HIIT Studio in Saskatoon and is currently pursuing her Kin-Ed PhD. MacKenzie and Nathan cover topics such as education, exercise, and dieting. MacKenzie, Peak, Website.

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#21 Erika Dyck, PhD 1:18:46

2y ago1:18:46

1:18:46

Erika Dyck is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and Canada Research Chair in the History of Health and Social Justice. Erika's research areas include psychedelics, history of eugenics, social justice, and health and medicine. Erika and Nathan cover topics such as her research into psychedelics, history, and the way the scientific method…

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When your worst nightmare becomes a path to freedom with Yeojin Bae 2:46:51

2y ago2:46:51

2:46:51

This content may be emotionally challenging and includes trauma, violence, and sexual abuse. If this doesn’t feel the right time for you to listen, we recommend circling back when you’re ready. We are not providing any professional advice, only sharing a personal story and perspective. Please seek professional help if you need support – we shared s…

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#20 Brooke Bulloch 1:01:59

2y ago1:01:59

1:01:59

Brooke Bulloch is a registered dietitian and CEO of Food to Fit Nutrition in Saskatoon. Brooke is often featured in the media and news and emphasizes inclusivity in her practice. Brooke and Nathan cover topics such as "healthy at any size", proper nutrition, and misconceptions. Find out more about Brooke and Food to Fit Nutrition at https://foodtof…

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The process is the solution: embracing challenges with grace and ease with Kathleen O’Brien 21:33

2y ago21:33

21:33

This time of year can be very full, fast paced, and involve a lot of doing, we thought it would be timely to share this short podcast episode from our teacher Kathleen O'Brien. Our hope is that it softens the busyness this time of year can bring. In this episode you'll be reminded that life is a constant process of unfolding. We need reminding beca…

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#19 Dr. Chris Clark 1:02:13

2+ y ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Chris is the Associate Dean and a Professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Chris and Nathan cover topics such as veterinary medicine, teaching, and Chris’ veterinary interests.

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#18 Rebekah Bennetch 1:45:48

2+ y ago1:45:48

1:45:48

Rebekah Bennetch is a lecturer at the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development at the University of Saskatchewan. Rebekah holds master’s degrees in arts and education and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education. Rebekah and Nathan cover topics such as education, artificial intelligence, and pedagogy.…

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#17 Liv Marken 1:02:28

2+ y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Liv Marken is a writing expert and manages the Writing Center at the University of Saskatchewan where she hires, trains, and works with undergraduate student tutors. Liv and Nathan cover topics such as writing, tutoring, and the obstacles in pursuing education.

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Healing from the loss of a loved one to suicide through Elegy for an Elephant with Ryan Abramowitz 1:05:28

2+ y ago1:05:28

1:05:28

This podcast episode refers to suicide and its impact. Please seek professional help if you need support. A list of mental health and counselling resources can be found in the show notes. In this episode Laura Poole joined by Melbourne-based artist and storyteller, and fellow Vedic meditator, Ryan Abramowitz to talk about an important subject that …

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Guru Purnima - honouring our spiritual teachers on this special full moon night with Blaine Watson 1:00:06

2+ y ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Laura Poole is again joined by Vedic astrologer Blaine Watson to talk all about Guru Purnima – the full moon night that occurs once a year where we honour the guru and all teachers in our lives. We go a beautiful journey exploring what a guru is (and is not), the relationship of guru to transcendence and love, stories from Blaine’s time with his gu…

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#16 Al Chicoine, DVM 2:05:03

2+ y ago2:05:03

2:05:03

Al Chicoine is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. His specialty is pharmacology and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Al and Nathan cover topics such as veterinary medicine, teaching, and veterinary drug residue in food.

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Falling asleep while meditating with Laura Poole 26:03

2+ y ago26:03

26:03

This episode comes from a group meditation Q&A where a student asked about falling asleep in meditation and why it keeps on happening. We explore why meditation is a practice of two-fold revealing and the importance of allowing cosmic intelligence to take the drivers seat in life. If you’ve ever fallen asleep while meditating, we hope this gives yo…

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#15 Roberta Campbell-Chudoba, PhD 2:10:54

2+ y ago2:10:54

2:10:54

Roberta is an educational developer at the Gwena Moss Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. She has had a legal career, a counseling career, and a career in education. She also currently teaches undergrad and graduate courses in the College of Education. Roberta and Nathan cover topics such as education, immigration, and truth and reconciliatio…

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Yoni steaming – rituals for fertility and healing gynecological conditions with Chasca Summerville 1:03:48

2+ y ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Something we’re passionate about in our community is women’s health, and in this episode Laura Poole is joined by Ayurveda practitioner and author Chasca Summerville who some of you may know from Instagram as Alchemy of Ayurveda. Chasca’s real speciality is Ayurveda for women sharing holistic ways to rejuvenate and wisdom to empower women to be the…

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How do I trust life with Kathleen O'Brien 17:42

2+ y ago17:42

17:42

This is a new offering on our podcast of shorter wisdom sessions shared from our teachers. Of things we have been exploring in group meditations, mentoring sessions, and in our personal lives. This episode came from a question at group meditation: ‘How do I trust life? How can I surrender and have faith when things just don’t see to be going ‘my wa…

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#14 Dr. Scott Napper 1:00:08

2+ y ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Dr. Scott Napper is a professor of biochemistry, microbiology, and immunology at the University of Saskatchewan as well as a senior research scientist with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. Scott and Nathan cover topics such as biochemistry, vaccines and vaccine development, and vaccines for diseases caused by misfolding proteins.…

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#13 Dr. Sandy Bonny 53:33

2+ y ago53:33

53:33

Dr. Sandy Bonny is the team lead of Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP) & STEM Access Initiatives at the University of Saskatchewan. Sandy has a background in geology but has several focus areas including but not limited to assessment equity, creative writing, and literary arts. Sandy and Nathan cover topics such as ISAP, adult learning,…

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#12 Julita Vassileva, PhD 2:04:58

2+ y ago2:04:58

2:04:58

Julita Vassileva is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan holding her Ph.D. in Math & Computer Science. Julita's research areas include explainable AI, social computing, and decentralized social architectures. Julita and Nathan cover topics such as generative AI, programming, and educational technologies.…

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#11 Katherine Stewart, PhD 1:13:25

2+ y ago1:13:25

1:13:25

Katherine Stewart is a soil scientist at the University of Saskatchewan with a Ph.D. from the University of Nothern British Columbia. Katherine's areas of specialization include restoration ecology, northern plant-soil systems, remediation, and N cycling. Katherine and Nathan cover topics such as soil science, restoration/remediation, and the impor…

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Can meditation cause you to avoid doing the ‘real work’? with Laura Poole 29:23

2+ y ago29:23

29:23

This is a new offering on our podcast of shorter wisdom sessions shared from our teachers, of things we have been exploring in group meditations, mentoring sessions, and in our personal lives. This episode is about the idea that meditation can cause you to avoid doing the ‘real work’ - the harder, emotional, deeper work of change. Laura Poole share…

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Bliss consciousness - the life story of Pandit Baskaran 53:58

3y ago53:58

53:58

This is a special episode for everyone who knows and loves Pandit Baskaran AKA Panditji. Panditji is a Vedic meditation teacher, pandit, and man of bliss consciousness. You may have had the great blessing of being on retreat with him in India, experiencing the bliss and joy of being in his presence. This episode is devoted to sharing Panditji’s lif…

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#10 Wendy James, PhD 1:35:54

3y ago1:35:54

1:35:54

Wendy James is the director of the Gwena Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Saskatchewan. Her interest areas are professional learning and assessment practice, among other areas in the realm of teaching and learning. Wendy and Nathan cover topics such as professional learning, ai, school, and debate. Find Wendy's work throug…

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#9 Dr. Gary Groot 1:29:52

3y ago1:29:52

1:29:52

Dr. Gary Groot is a surgical oncologist and a professor of Community Health and Epidemiology, and in the Department of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Groot also holds multiple directorial positions including, but not limited to, that of Clinical Quality Improvement with the Saskatoon Health Authority. Dr. Groot and Nathan cover topi…

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#8 Marcel Petit 1:40:13

3y ago1:40:13

1:40:13

Marcel Petit is a Saskatchewan-based photographer/filmmaker and is involved in community outreach with Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op (CNYC) in Saskatoon. Marcel and Nathan cover topics such as art, Marcel's life and journey, and (CYNC). Find Marcel's work at https://www.marcelpetit.ca/ and https://cnyc.ca/.…

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#7 Todd Knihnitski 1:36:00

3y ago1:36:00

1:36:00

Todd Knihnitski is a teacher and one of the owners of and a professional cheerleading coach at Prairie Fire Cheerleading in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Todd and Nathan cover topics such as teaching, coaching, development, and social media. https://www.prairiefirecheerleading.ca/ @toddknihnitski *Due to an error in recording the camera audio had to be u…

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Deep surrender and the 3 types of karma with Kathleen O’Brien 1:08:17

3y ago1:08:17

1:08:17

Welcome back podcast family! This week we’re sharing an empowering and vulnerable conversation between two of the Mahasoma team, Laura Poole and Kathleen O’Brien. Kathleen has a story that is both unique to her journey but also relatable for so many of you out there. Kathleen openly shares with us her experiences with health and challenges living w…

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#6 Sean Maw, PhD, PEng 1:22:42

3y ago1:22:42

1:22:42

Sean Maw is a sports engineer, researcher, and professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Sean has a master's degree in Systems Design Engineering and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Sean and Nathan cover topics such as Speed Skating, sports safety, teaching, and the space industry.

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Siddha Medicine for Enlightenment with Dr Janani 44:11

3y ago44:11

44:11

This episode was recorded while we were in the south of India, in Tamil Nadu, staying at the Sri Narayani Holistic Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine. Our Vedic meditation teacher Laura Poole had the honour of speaking with the head doctor there – Dr Janani – all about Siddha Medicine for spiritual enlightenment and how you can experience this…

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#5 Tim Sharbel, PhD 1:09:05

3y ago1:09:05

1:09:05

Tim Sharbel is a professor and researcher at the University of Saskatchewan. Tim's work focuses on plant genetics and plant asexual reproduction (apomixis). Tim and Nathan cover topics such as rock climbing, genetics, and reproduction. Find Tim's work at https://agbio.usask.ca/faculty-and-staff/people-pages/tim-sharbel.php and https://researchers.u…

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#4 Dr. Alexander Moewes 1:17:58

3+ y ago1:17:58

1:17:58

Dr. Alexander Moewes is a physics professor and researcher at the University of Saskatchewan. Alex and his research team use Canada's synchrotron, the Canadian Light Source, to research electronic structures. Nathan and Alex cover topics such as physics, academics, and guitar. Alex's work can be found at https://research-groups.usask.ca/beamteam/me…

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#3 Dr. Valery Chirkov 54:09

3+ y ago54:09

54:09

Dr. Valery Chirkov is a researcher and professor of Social, and Cultural Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Chirkov holds doctorates in both Industrial Psychology from St. Petersburg State University, Russia, and Social Psychology from the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. Dr. Chirkov and Nathan cover topics such as Dr. C…

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#2 Celeste Lemieux 42:16

3+ y ago42:16

42:16

Celeste Lemieux is a sexual and spiritual health mentor and proprietor of Positive Passions in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Celeste and Nathan cover topics such as sexual health, mentoring, spiritual health, and Celeste's desire to help others. When asked if she could leave all of her mentorees with one thing, Celeste answered, "trust yourself". Find s…

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Becoming a loving disciple of water - hydrating yourself through friendship with Isabel Friend 1:32:22

3+ y ago1:32:22

1:32:22

In this episode we chat with water researcher, activist and educator Isabel Friend. Isabel’s expertise is bringing modern scientific understanding together with ancient ancestral wisdom. Isabel shares a vision with practical strategies that helps people transform their relationship to water, increasing physical, mental, emotional, and environmental…

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Who is telling your story? How we came to Vedic meditation with Laura, Sarah, Julia and Kathleen 57:41

3+ y ago57:41

57:41

This episode is a Mahasoma team effort as we come together to answer your questions. We get a lot of inquiry on social media, emails, and group meditations, so we thought podcast episodes would be a great way to share more. We will be exploring your questions, sharing our real life experiences, and tapping into relevant themes/happenings we’re goin…

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The Yoga of Time: Navaratri and Goddess Worship with Prashanti de Jager 1:06:51

3+ y ago1:06:51

1:06:51

This episode is all about the Vedic celebration known as Navaratri – the nine nights of worshipping the goddess at the two new moon equinoxes of the year. We wanted to share with you some of the deeper meanings and understandings of this celebration, and how you can tap into this flow of time to create greater health and vitality for yourself, your…

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Transcendence with Blaine Watson 1:41:14

4y ago1:41:14

1:41:14

In this episode our Mahasoma teacher Laura Poole and the delightful repeat guest on our podcast, our Vedic astrologer Blaine Watson, talk all things transcendence. With both Laura and Blaine teaching Vedic meditation, a transcending meditation technique, we wanted to share the deeper understanding of transcendence, and help you recognise the profou…