Growing up, actress, writer, and director Zoe Lister-Jones admires her mother’s confidence and her willingness to stand up for what... more

All her life, Meredith Arthur is a model of competence and control, and it sweeps her higher and higher up... more

Growing up half-Japanese in South Florida, Kino MacGregor spends a lot of time feeling uncomfortable in her own body. But... more

In the morning, Idaho pastor Tri Robinson herds cattle and mends fences; in the evening, he writes sermons. But the... more

Considered a prodigy in China, Lang Lang arrives to the U.S. certain of what it takes to be the best... more

Judith Grisel is an internationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist and professor of psychology known for her research on the role of... more

As Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Otis Moss carries the torch for generations of church... more

On the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, we allow ourselves space for our memories and... more

As an actor and a new mom, Catherine Reitman felt pulled between two competing identities. To capture her frustration, her... more

Jackals and leopards in the fields. The sound of a lion’s roar. Majestic African bush elephants outside the front door.... more

In precisely chosen words, the writer, artist and Zen priest Zenju Earthlyn Manuel tells a story from her girlhood, a... more

Host of NPR’s Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me!, Peter Sagal is wrecked and stuck in the wake of a divorce. Suddenly,... more

What's is like to be an identical twin? Game designer Jane McGonigal tells a story of similarity and divergence as... more

We’re excited to launch WaitWhat's newest weekly series, Pioneers of AI — your guide to the latest technological frontier. Hosted... more

While filming one day in the Congo Rainforest, legendary photojournalist John Moore pursued the vision of a perfect photograph —... more

How to teach a classroom full of "difficult" kids? By meeting them where they are, and finding a way in.... more

Best-selling author Isabel Allende has led an extraordinary life marked by moments of tragic loss. A coup in her home... more

On his podcast and TV show Song Exploder, Hrishikesh Hirway digs deep into the creative process of legendary songwriters. But before... more

Tuxedo-clad, face covered in makeup, hair slicked and parted in the middle, jumping around a creaky stage, teenage Josh Radnor... more

It's early morning. A hotel room. Wajahat Ali, playwright and author, is traveling for work when he gets a call... more

Twenty-four long miles into a grueling paddleboard competition, photographer Donald Miralle sights the buoy that tells him he's just a... more

Gordana Biernat grows up in a household full of mayhem and darkness. But there’s one saving grace: her grandfather, who... more

As the pandemic drags on, Vanessa Hua finds herself in a dark place of panic and doom-scrolling. But that begins to change... more

As a boy in Oxford, Henry Shukman seeks refuge from a painful childhood by disappearing into poetry, immersing himself in... more

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is the first openly lesbian woman to climb the famous Seven Summits, a bucket list of the highest... more

Jacob Sartorius has been making music and short videos since he was a kid. By age 14, he had millions... more

As the wind howls around his camping caravan on a remote Welsh farm, poet David Whyte sits at a table,... more

When young Nate Berkus pushes open the door to his new bedroom, an unfinished space in his family home, he... more

Restaurateur Danny Meyer takes us back to where it all began for him: a family trip to Europe and a... more

Stephen Wilkes has a unique approach to photography that requires a sustained focus to capture subtle changes in light and... more

There he is: pacing around the campfire, contemplating, ruminating. Then, with a crooked, mischievous smile, he begins. “Here’s a story…”... more

Rural California is all Kristin Windbigler knows as a child — its wild, green pastoral landscape, where living off the land... more

Throughout his life, pastry chef Duff Goldman — best known for his long-running Food Network show Ace of Cakes — is driven... more

When Nataly Dawn’s family moves from the U.S. to a tiny town in the middle of France, she finds herself... more

Reshma Saujani, activist and founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, prides herself on being in control. She’s always... more

Actor, writer and comedian Aasif Mandvi has given us so many laughs in his role as a correspondent on The... more

From the team behind Meditative Story, we're happy to share the first episode of Offsite Adventures, our newest show uncovering... more

When Kelly Rizzo’s husband Bob Saget passes away without warning, she’s faced with the challenge of moving forward day by... more

This April Fool’s Day, Rohan embraces the sense of play that exists in all of us, designing a unique meditation... more

Alex Honnold, renowned rock climber and the subject of the documentary Free Solo, has always known how to do hard... more

In honor of International Women’s Day, Rohan relates the story of a woman who greatly influenced his journey towards mindfulness... more

Actress Zuri Adele, known for playing Malika Williams on the popular Freeform show Good Trouble, spent parts of her childhood... more

Tami Simon, founder of the spiritual wisdom publishing house Sounds True, goes through much of her life feeling like an... more

What can we discover about time when we slow down and focus on each passing moment? This Leap Year gives... more

Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden recognizes that, like so many of us, she is who she is... more

Growing up, Rachel Cargle was used to seeing things her family couldn’t afford. As she got older, became a writer,... more

Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has long been able to tap into her unique gifts as an artist... more

When life pulls us in a million different directions, it’s easy to feel distracted. The harder it is to quiet... more

Lawyer and master communicator Jefferson Fisher loves taking care of other people. You can feel this in the supportive videos... more

Lulu Wang, writer-director of The Farewell, and Expats, grows up in a family where the expectations for her future are... more

Garrett McNamara is a legend in the surfing world who’s ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet. To... more

CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, has long had a passion for helping animals. Yet when... more

Gretchen Rubin is an expert on happiness, and she's spent her career helping people build the habits to achieve it.... more

Jon Foreman is a land artist who uses the raw materials of the environment to create breathtaking ephemeral pieces. His... more

The many highs of Tig Notaro’s comedy career (Emmy and Grammy nominations, creating TV shows, and hosting the “Don’t Ask... more

At the cusp of a new calendar year, it’s easy to place our attention on things we’d like to change... more

As a teenager, Jade Bowler is laser-focused on her dream of leaving home, with ambitious plans for the future. It’s... more

Jen Hatmaker — author and host of the For The Love podcast — is a charismatic, natural born leader. But... more

Whether it’s by train, plane, or automobile, travel can produce a lot of stress in both the body and mind.... more

Matthieu Ricard, photographer, humanitarian, and author of Notebooks Of A Wandering Monk, has spent years of his life in the... more

Tech entrepreneur and author of Everyday Dharma, Suneel Gupta spends much of his life feeling divided between his Indian and... more

At a time when it feels like the world needs kindness more than ever, Rohan and the Meditative Story team... more

In 2009, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is having one of the busiest years of his life. A nonstop... more

By the 1980s, Diana Nyad had left competitive swimming behind, embarking on a successful career as a sports broadcaster. But... more

When the way we talk about our own bodies becomes negative and self-deprecating, it’s time to rewrite that inner monologue.... more

In celebration of World Kindness Day, Rohan shares a simple and enriching meditation centered on the idea of performing small... more

As a runner of marathons and ultramarathons, author and advocate Mirna Valerio knows a thing or two about finding reserves... more

Keith Ferrazzi is the author of Never Eat Alone, a classic book about working relationships. But before he became an... more

In celebration of spooky season, Rohan is offering a trick or treat meditation designed to quiet our minds and help... more

During an extended stay in a remote corner of the California coast, award-winning cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg gains a new perspective... more

Urban farmer Indy Officianalis, host of National Geographic’s Farm Dreams, grew up knowing that nature was the place she felt... more

What might we learn from the wisdom of a centenarian? Join Rohan for this guided meditation inspired by a family... more

Celebrity chef Carla Hall wasn’t always interested in cooking. As a child, she finds that puzzles and play help her... more

Co-founder of Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and author of several popular books on Buddhism, Joseph Goldstein has been a legend... more

Having trouble quieting your mind at night? Join Rohan for this soothing, nighttime meditation designed to ease your body and... more

Jessamyn Stanley, author of Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance, realizes one day that her life has become filled with unwanted... more

2x Emmy Award-winning TV host, journalist, and author Tamron Hall has hit milestones in her life that a younger version... more

"Are you going to do this? Ever?" Standing at the edge of the highest diving board at the aquatic center,... more

It’s not surprising that Martha Beck, best-selling author and columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine, grew up as a high... more

What do you do when your own body feels like the enemy? Spoken word artist and activist Andrea Gibson (You... more

As the wind howls around his camping caravan on a remote Welsh farm, poet David Whyte sits at a table,... more

As he helps his youngest child prepare for her first day of school, Rohan offers us all a chance to... more

Kathryn Nicolai, creator of the Nothing Much Happens podcast, learns at an early age to diminish her own needs. She... more

As Rohan prepares to sell his home, he guides us through a meditation on our mind’s capacity to hold memory,... more

In 2009, Eddie Huang, author of the acclaimed memoir Fresh Off the Boat, opens Baohaus, his first Taiwanese restaurant on... more

Growing up, actress, writer, and director Zoe Lister-Jones admires her mother’s confidence and her willingness to stand up for what... more

Robin Arzón is a star fitness coach at Peloton, beloved for her high-energy coaching with more than a dash of... more

In the UK, Joe Wicks became a household name early in the pandemic with his daily workouts, called “PE with... more

Journalist and beloved podcast host Leila Day grows up being told that she should “tone it down.” When she moves... more

Rohan offers strategies for clear transitions from the demands of work, to being present with our families, pets and friends.... more

As a former broadcast journalist and anchor for major networks like NBC and CNN, Soledad O’Brien understands the value of... more

Many of you have let us know how much you love the music which accompanies each episode of Meditative Story.... more

Meredith Goldstein writes the wildly popular Love Letters column in the Boston Globe, but for much of her life, she’s... more

Today’s special meditation features a parable from our friends at The One You Feed podcast. If there are two opposing... more

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is the first openly lesbian woman to climb the famous Seven Summits, a bucket list of the highest... more

Throughout his life, pastry chef Duff Goldman — best known for his long-running Food Network show Ace of Cakes —... more

Garrett McNamara is a legend in the surfing world who’s ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet. To... more

By the time Sharon Salzberg is 16 years old, she knows the people around her don’t admit to suffering, much... more

The many highs of Tig Notaro’s comedy career (Emmy and Grammy nominations, creating TV shows, and hosting the “Don’t Ask... more

From the outside, Niall Breslin — known by legions of Irish fans as Bressie — appears to have led a... more

In today’s Meditation, Rohan reflects on the theme of creating calm, inside and out. Please join us in applying some... more

As a legendary Jazz trumpeter, winner of 5 Grammy Awards, and composer of over 60 films including the works of... more

Growing up in the suburbs of England, Felix Barrett — founder of immersive theater company Punchdrunk — considers himself a... more

Broadcaster Dan Harris shares a candid look at his attempts to connect more with his son, Alexander, on their first... more

Today’s meditation features a special guest, Rohan’s 7 year-old son, Arne.  Letting go can come in stages, or so Rohan experiences... more

"Why?” asks an insistent high school art teacher. “Why? Why? Why?” Staring blankly back, a young Jay Shetty has nothing... more

Krista Tippett’s early years aren't what you’d expect knowing who she is today. As a journalist and political aide in... more

A California native, Chip Conley grew up visiting the towering redwoods and indulging his curiosity about wise and aging things.... more

Today, Rohan shares a Lovingkindness Meditation born out of a Spring walk around Oxford. In this practice, phrases are repeated... more

Bakari Sellers made history when he became the youngest African American elected official in the United States. But beneath the... more

Actress Zuri Adele, known for playing Malika Williams on the popular Freeform show Good Trouble, spent parts of her childhood... more

Climate activist Varshini Prakash first became aware of the effects of a changing planet when her grandparents’ village in India... more

Sometimes on Meditative Story, we break from our usual episodes to share a reflection from our host, Rohan Gunatillake, occasioned... more

As a WNBA player, AD is used to saying, “I’m good” as an automatic response, no matter the injury. It’s... more

Best-selling author Isabel Allende has led an extraordinary life marked by moments of tragic loss. A coup in her home... more

Like so many of us, Chad Sanders wants to feel a sense of belonging — but as he grows up,... more

Through his long and storied career as a stuntman, Curtis Rivers has appeared in scores of films and television shows,... more

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate love of all kinds — whether it’s the unconditional love of a pet,... more

Hannah Cross is a licensed clinical social worker, devoted to helping people with emotional and behavioral concerns. The way she... more

What’s the hardest part about being the main character in your own life? You’re also writing the script as you... more

As a teenager, Jade Bowler is laser-focused on her dream of leaving home, with ambitious plans for the future. It’s... more

Figuring out how to express your authentic self is a journey in discovering what lights you up. For Eric Whitacre,... more

Michelle Thaller is an astronomer and science communicator who helped unveil the latest images from the Webb Telescope — the... more

Choral music composer and conductor Eric Whitacre directs choirs around the globe, but as a kid in northern Nevada, he... more

Staying connected with our loved ones is not always easy, especially if, like Jai Punjabi, you live far away from... more

Growing up in the Kennedy family, Tim Shriver sees close relatives compete at the highest level of U.S. politics and... more

What would it be like to turn your New Year’s resolutions on their head, by resolving to focus our attention... more

When life is overwhelming, sometimes the smallest action — even one that seems insignificant in the moment — is what... more

How can we maintain a sense of freshness, awe, and wonder in our perspective on the world? Today’s Soul Curriculum... more

Over a tiny table in a crowded bar … on a bike crossing at the Mexican border … standing at... more