Best Hell In A Cellphone Podcasts (2025)

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Imperfect Paradise: Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is officially in prison. What questions remain? 28:13

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3d ago28:13

28:13

Disgraced former Orange County supervisor Andrew Do reported to federal prison in Arizona on August 15th. Do had been found guilty of accepting bribes in exchange for directing millions of taxpayer dollars to a nonprofit that was supposed to be feeding hungry seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of those dollars were diverted elsewhere. N…

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Imperfect Paradise: The cost of becoming a teacher in California. Who can afford to do it? 39:39

10d ago39:39

39:39

Across the U.S., states are constantly in the midst of teacher shortages. California's teaching prep and residency programs are supposed to be part of the solution. But many hopeful teachers struggle to balance their passion with the risk of debt and high cost of living. Imperfect Paradise guest host and K-12 Senior Reporter Mariana Dale and LAist’…

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A Conversation w/ Marymagdalenestan 1:22:27

12d ago1:22:27

1:22:27

Episode 68: I have a conversation with Instagram user @marymagdalenestan about religion, spirituality, queerness, ecology, performance, God, Julian of Norwich, and much more.

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Imperfect Paradise: Deputies severely beat a man struggling with mental health issues. Where are the records? 24:58

17d ago24:58

24:58

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies severely beat Joseph Perez in 2020, then arrested him. His mom Vanessa alleges that she had previously told law enforcement that Perez has a serious mental illness and would need to be placed in a psychiatric facility. Mother and son believe the deputies used unnecessary force on Perez and are the center of…

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Imperfect Paradise: Despite three 911 calls, how did two men with disabilities die in their home during the Eaton Fire? 30:10

24d ago30:10

30:10

West Altadena residents Anthony Mitchell Sr. and his son Justin Mitchell were stuck at home when the Eaton Fire erupted Jan. 7. Both had disabilities, and to evacuate, they needed help. Mitchell Sr. and family members called 911 multiple times as the fire spread. But first responders didn't make it in time to evacuate the father and son. Seven mont…

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This Old House Radio Hour: The Ultimate DIY Cleaning Solution + Peter Sagal’s House from Hell! 51:18

25d ago51:18

51:18

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re scrubbing deep, digging trenches, and pulling back the curtain on the emotional side of homeownership. We open the episode with Brandon Pleshek—aka “Clean That Up”—who shares his go-to DIY vinegar-based cleaner, why it works, and where you should never use it. Then it’s onto the phones, starting with a …

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Imperfect Paradise: The dirty secret of trash: Illegal dumping in the Southern California desert 28:35

1M ago28:35

28:35

Diapers, concrete and construction debris. The open secret about trash in Southern California is that some of the waste people assume is being properly handled is actually being disposed of on remote sites in the California high desert. The state agency in charge of waste, CalRecycle, has said the scale of illegal dumping has become an emergency. L…

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The Body is a Doorway w/ Sophie Strand 1:06:27

1M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Episode 67: In this episode, I speak with author SophieStrand about her new memoir, exploring the complex relationship between her body and the world. We get into her experience of releasing such a personal book, her concerns about pathologizing and commodifying illness, and her reflections on diagnosis and the power of narrative. We also discuss h…

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Imperfect Paradise: How one man rebuilt his life, 100 miles at a time 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

Struggling with addiction and reentry after multiple stints in prison, Cesar Quijano discovers ultrarunning, a hobby that turns into his addiction and salvation. Through Cesar’s story to complete a 100-mile race, Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and producer Lucy Copp explore urgent questions around what support people need to successfully…

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Imperfect Paradise: Are Latino pollsters helping or hurting the Democratic cause? 53:08

2M ago53:08

53:08

As Democrats confront declining Latino support across three consecutive presidential elections, a fierce debate is unfolding within the party: Are Latino advocacy groups and polling firms helping or hurting the Democratic cause? Critics argue that a flawed messaging strategy — and a complacent advocacy infrastructure — have led to Latino voters dri…

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Imperfect Paradise: Trading in the American Dream for the Mexican Dream 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

For decades, there’s been a persistent story about Mexican immigrants crossing the border for a better life in the United States. But there’s a new trend emerging: Mexicans and Mexican Americans, disillusioned with American politics, moving to Mexico for a more fulfilling life. In the second episode of a three-part collaboration with Latino USA, Im…

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Imperfect Paradise: Getting lost in Latina trad wife TikTok 28:25

2M ago28:25

28:25

During a flurry of election-related anxiety, Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido re-downloaded TikTok and fell down a very specific rabbit hole: Latina trad wife content. Videos of women waking up at three in the morning, making “lonche” for their husbands and espousing traditional lifestyles – have become popular and gone viral on social med…

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Postmodern Cunning Craft w/ Meredith Graves 1:40:32

2M ago1:40:32

1:40:32

Episode 65: With Meredith Graves! Meredith shares her personal journey into witchcraft, her upbringing in a non-religious household, and her interactions with various religious communities. We delve into the cultural role of witches and Meredith discusses her upcoming presentation at the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival, examining the concept…

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Imperfect Paradise: Did the cellphone ban in high schools work? 46:11

2M ago46:11

46:11

On February 18th, 2025, the LA Unified School District, the second largest public school district in the country, implemented an all-day cell phone ban for its students. Now that it’s the end of the school year, we head to Venice High School to see how the ban actually went. Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dolla…

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Imperfect Paradise: On the ground for LA's historic ICE protests 38:30

3M ago38:30

38:30

ICE raids began last Friday across Southern California. People have been detained and there have been confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. What exactly went down and where does Los Angeles go from here? We hear from family members of people detained by ICE and talk with LAist Civics and Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze about …

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Imperfect Paradise: Return from Mexico 39:42

3M ago39:42

39:42

In 2009, Gloria Arellano de la Rosa was banned from re-entering the U.S. for ten years, finding herself separated from her four children and husband. But unlike Daniel Zamora, she didn’t remake her life in Mexico. Every day she waited to go home to the U.S. Fernanda Echavarri tells the story of what happens when Gloria finally returns to the States…

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Inheriting: Nicole & the Third World Liberation Front 46:54

3M ago46:54

46:54

Nicole Salaver’s uncle, Patrick Salaver, was one of the leaders of the Third World Liberation Front at San Francisco State University in the late 1960s. This movement not only led to the recognition of the term “Asian American,” but also brought ethnic studies to colleges nationwide. Pat made a difference in the world as a Filipino civil rights lea…

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Queer & Christian w/ Brandan Robertson 55:59

3M ago55:59

55:59

Episode 62: I talk with Brandan Robertson about his new book Queer & Christian. We get into his faith journey, growing up evangelical, becoming a pastor, clashing with conservatives on TikTok, and what it really means to be both queer and Christian today. For a video version of this episode, visit our Patreon at patreon.com/ineedgod.…

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Nature is Not Metal w/ Bradley Rydholm 1:42:12

4M ago1:42:12

1:42:12

Episode 61: I talk with Bradley Rydholm from @nature_is_not_metal about his religious upbringing, animism, the intersection of nature, technology, and human culture, his work fostering deeper connections between people and the environment, the role of spirituality and religion in modern life, rites of passage, and a ton more... follow us at patreon…

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Imperfect Paradise: How the Rent Brigade took on LA’s landlords 39:27

4M ago39:27

39:27

In the days after LA’s early-January wildfires, tenant advocate Chelsea Kirk noticed a trend: rent gouging. Rents were shooting up past their legal limit. In the wake of the fires, as natural disaster collided with LA’s severe housing shortage, we trace how a collective of volunteers organized themselves to bring rent gouging to light in LA County.…

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Imperfect Paradise: From ranchers with guns to gurus with crystals: How extremism in the American West has evolved 26:03

4M ago26:03

26:03

When Portland, Oregon-based reporter Leah Sottile began covering extremism in the American West a decade ago, she was interviewing ranchers, fundamentalist Mormons and “sovereign citizens” who did not believe the federal government should own land. During the pandemic, she began noticing that New Age wellness leaders were talking about many of the …

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Imperfect Paradise: Can Oakland point the way for the future of liberal cities 34:50

4M ago34:50

34:50

Journalist Alexis Madrigal is obsessed with the port of Oakland. He even has a tattoo of a shipping container! In his new book, The Pacific Circuit, he makes the case that Oakland is where the real-world impacts of globalization are felt, and serves as a warning for other port communities. He documents the impact that the tech/logistics industry ha…

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Lucumí & Christian Anarchism w/ Juno Zavitz 53:36

4M ago53:36

53:36

Episode #59: I talk with Juno Zavitz about his Lucumí practice and journey toward priesthood. We also dive into topics like Christian anarchism, social work, queerness, and more.

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Imperfect Paradise: The fallout over LAFD funding: Bass vs. Crowley 36:13

5M ago36:13

36:13

Amid the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires that killed more than two dozen people, a political conflict came sharply into focus surrounding the funding of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Finger-pointing as to who was to blame included former LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and LA Mayor Karen Bass. The two women would be lambasted for thei…

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Imperfect Paradise: Rebuild or leave? One Black family in Altadena decides their future after Eaton Fire 40:25

5M ago40:25

40:25

The biggest question hanging over most people in Los Angeles who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton Fires is whether to rebuild or leave -- a question that's especially fraught for Altadena's Black community, who faced a long history of redlining. Charel Bailey’s parents have lived in Altadena since 1977, and she desperately wants them to rebuil…

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Pariah the Doll w/ Miles Yardley 1:19:47

5M ago1:19:47

1:19:47

Episode 58: I talk with Miles Yardley (@Pariahthedoll), formerly known as Salomé, about his journey and perspective on gender, sexuality, and Catholicism. For a video version of this episode, head to our Patreon at patreon.com/ineedgod.

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Imperfect Paradise: When the disinformation machine comes for you 39:40

5M ago39:40

39:40

Renée DiResta joined the Stanford Internet Observatory to analyze how propaganda spreads online. But in 2023, she went from studying the online disinformation machine to becoming its target. We dive into what happened when a right-wing conspiracy made Renée its villain, as well as how disinformation has changed over the last three presidential elec…

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Imperfect Paradise: ‘Free the Tee’ Redux: Fighting back against LA golf course scalpers 43:49

5M ago43:49

43:49

This episode originally aired on June 12, 2024. LA was rocked on March 4 when Dave Fink, a golf influencer, posted a viral video on Instagram detailing how brokers - largely using a Korean messenger app- were snatching up prime time tees at Los Angeles’ public golf courses and reselling them. Here’s how an unlikely crew of golf enthusiasts’ fight t…

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God Lives in My Cellphone w/ Maude 1:05:58

5M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

Episode 57: I speak with Maude from @godlivesinmycellphone on Instagram. We talk about converting to Judaism, chronic illness, having a spiritually themed meme page, mysticism in religion, community and belonging, and much more. For more episodes, bonus content, and to support this project, visit patreon.com/ineedgod.…

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Imperfect Paradise: Meet the filmmakers who love AI 34:04

5M ago34:04

34:04

It’s hard to find people in Hollywood who are willing to speak publicly about their enthusiasm for AI, for fear of being seen as “siding with the machines.” And yet, many people are quietly using the technology already. In this episode, we interview two enthusiastic early adopters of AI in filmmaking about how they’re using it, its strengths and li…

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Imperfect Paradise: How AI became a Hollywood villain – especially for animators 35:31

6M ago35:31

35:31

Hollywood taught us to be afraid of a super powerful artificial intelligence that will one day conquer humanity. So not surprisingly, many screenwriters and actors are very skeptical of AI, and concerns about AI were central to the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023. But animators may actually be the most at risk of losing their jobs to AI. In this ep…

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Brutal Recovery w/ Lauren M. 1:10:37

6M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Episode 55: This week, I'm joined by the brilliant Lauren from @brutalrecovery. Her upcoming book, No Lost Causes Club, is available for pre-order now. We dive into addiction, recovery, Neopets, ritual, opera, singing, teaching, writing, God, Scotland, and so much more. A video version of this podcast is available on our Patreon!…

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Imperfect Paradise: Highland Park: Land of the snake 36:32

6M ago36:32

36:32

Tucked away in Highland Park - a neighborhood that’s been dubbed “ground zero” for gentrification - sits a small park dotted with native plants and spiraling mosaic sculptures. La Tierra de la Culebra Park was established in the early 90s by guerilla artist Tricia Ward. In the decades since, the neighborhood has transformed massively and a battle h…

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Neoliberal Hell w/ Ana .••.••.•* 1:03:18

6M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Episode 54: Neoliberalhell is here today! God-lover Kyle talks with Ana about her religious upbringing with her ex-Catholic parents, the antibiotics she took that made her dissociate for months and subsequently believe in God, her Dad's psychic massage therapist, an outing at the NYC Young Republicans event, a deceased woman's bible, and more.…

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Part 4: The Landing 43:48

6M ago43:48

43:48

In the final episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": Despite several stopgaps and hiccups, the moon landing is a monumental success, although many Black Americans feel it’s come at a cost to their progress. The discrimination Charlie, Nate and Shelby faced at work finally makes it into government hearings. And the trio today reflect on their cont…

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[TEASER] Body Work Pt. 2 w/ Gillian Walsh 3:00

7M ago3:00

3:00

Episode 53: My conversation with artist and movement artist Gillian Walsh continues on Patreon at patreon.com/ineedgod. We talk about love, theology, evil, aliens, drones, the sky—and get into the spirituality and theology of Britney Spears, the dark side of celebrity, exploitation, and technology and control.…

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Part 3: Making an Impact 40:42

7M ago40:42

40:42

In this episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": The launch of Apollo 6. Nate and Charlie must choose how to respond when their work is undermined by superiors, leading to tense stand-offs. Meanwhile Shelby works on a project which will define his legacy — and our view of Earth. Workplace pay disparities come to light, while the assassination of M…

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Body Work w/ Gillian Walsh 1:08:54

7M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Episode 52: In this episode I talk with Gillian Walsh, a movement artist, body work practitioner, God-lover, and religion scholar. For a full hour more of conversation, visit our Patreon at patreon.com/ineedgod Topics include: Work Spiritual inheritance Body work Mystical experiences Emptiness Life and death Healing Feeling god…

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Part 2: Spring Loaded to Failure 45:20

7M ago45:20

45:20

In this episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": Were these three engineers set up to fail? The space race starts to hit debilitating roadblocks, and the Black aerospace engineers are beginning to feel the weight of the workplace — and the clock ticking. Shelby, Nate and Charlie develop different ways to cope with the pressure. A tragedy during an…

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Part 1: Ignition Starts 45:08

7M ago45:08

45:08

In this first episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": America aims for the moon. President John F. Kennedy stands proudly behind the mission to advance the country and welcomes a diverse team to get the job done. That team includes three Black engineers who have a studded background — Charlie Cheathem, Nathaniel LeVert and Shelby Jacobs. However,…

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GOD VESSEL w/ Camirin Farmer 1:02:41

7M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

Episode 51: We welcome comedy artist Camirin Farmer to discuss spirituality, religion, and their journey in performance art/clowning. Topics include speaking in tongues, astrology, the movie 'Wicked,' psychic protection, psychedelics, marginal identity, God and more.

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Introducing LA Made: The Other Moonshot (Coming January 29) 2:28

7M ago2:28

2:28

When Joanne Higgins was growing up in Compton in Los Angeles, she heard her godfather, Charlie Cheathem, tell stories about his key role in the Apollo mission to the moon. As an adult she realized that his experiences — and those of other Black engineers — had been left out of the history books. She set out to record for the first time the accounts…

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Healing Your Finances w/ Money Witch 1:29:08

8M ago1:29:08

1:29:08

EPISODE 50!!!! Welcome to a new season of I Need God Pod....... In this episode, I interview Jessie Susanna Karnatz, aka the Money Witch. Jessie Susanna discusses her unique approach to financial healing, integrating it into a larger concept of personal healing and connecting money to the Earth. Over the past 11 years, she has focused on why many p…

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[UNLOCKED] Going to Church w/ Dasha Nekrasova (Full Episode) 1:18:55

8M ago1:18:55

1:18:55

Unlocked full episode! In fall 2022, God-lover Kyle went to divine liturgy with actress and podcaster Dasha Nekrasova. Things we touch on: ⁠Brook Scheider Ceramics⁠, Kyle's ⁠Shark Tank Reenactment⁠, Dasha's God-given purpose, the SAG awards, Eastern Catholicism vs Orthodoxy vs Roman Catholicism, Vatican II, Dasha's natal chart, teen atheism, being …

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[UNLOCKED] Shapeshifting w/ Gabi Abrão (Full Episode) 58:46

8M ago58:46

58:46

Unlocked!! God-lover Kyle talks to Gabi Abrão aka @⁠sighswoon⁠ about her spiritual upbringing and her book Notes on Shapeshifting. Subscribe to ⁠patreon.com/ineedgod⁠ to support this project <3 Gabi’s book: ⁠https://notacult.media/books/p/sighswoon⁠ Gabi’s Patreon: patreon.com/sighswoon⁠ Topics we cover: Spiritism Contemporary Art Jungian Psycholog…

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[UNLOCKED] God wants you to chill w/ Kreayshawn (Full Episode) 1:03:15

8M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Unlocked for the very first time! Our first ever Godcast episode featuring rapper/artist/legend Kreayshawn. Please join our Patreon... patreon.com/ineedgod Content warnings: Addiction, suic*de, ab*rtion, r*pe, theft Links: ⁠http://kreayshawn.com/⁠ ⁠http://smile.rip⁠ ⁠http://i-need-god.com⁠ ⁠https://smilerip.bigcartel.com/⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/KREA…

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[UNLOCKED] A Conversation w/ Dan Hentschel (Full Episode) 46:54

8M ago46:54

46:54

Unlocked for the first time! God-lover Kyle talks with internet comedian ⁠Dan Hentschel⁠ about Tiktok fame, going to Catholic school, having a mom who's a therapist, working at T-mobile, believing in God, the meaning of heaven, r/atheism, playing characters online, and a lot more... Support this project, listen to new episodes first, and unlock bon…

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[UNLOCKED] Talking Fundamentalism w/ Fundie Fridays (Full Episode) 1:00:36

8M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Happy New Year God-lovers! Enjoy this unlocked, full episode with ⁠Fundie Fridays⁠. Jen and James are a cornerstone of a relatively new online community known as "fundie snark" which deconstructs and pokes fun at American evangelicalism and fundamentalist beliefs. We talk about their religious upbringings, evangelical culture, American politics, re…

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Queer Catholicism & Sustainable Fashion w/ Izzy Li Kostrzewa 1:16:40

9M ago1:16:40

1:16:40

Episode 41: In this episode we chat with Izzy, fashion genius behind Isaboko, about sustainability, Catholic school, queerness, identity, and solar-punk. Izzy shares their journey of reconciling their Catholic faith with their queer identity, highlighting their experiences with inclusive Christian communities and their passion for sustainable fashi…

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Organic Abundance w/ Hanna Williams 1:10:40

9M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

Episode 47: In this episode, I sit down with Hanna Williams, creator of the meme page Organic Abundance, to explore her personal journey with faith and how it led her to practicing Shakta Tantra. Our conversation covers a range of topics including farming, the teachings of Rudolph Steiner, phenomenology, yogic traditions, gurus, and the idea of gra…