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Meditative Story
Meditative Story
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Meditative Story combines extraordinary human stories with meditation prompts embedded into the storylines — all surrounded by breathtaking music. Think of it... more

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Episodes

From dark times come new discoveries, by Vanessa Hua

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

23 Jul 2024 · 32 minutes
What deep listening unlocks for me, by Henry Shukman

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

16 Jul 2024 · 37 minutes
Discover the power of self-compassion, by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

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

09 Jul 2024 · 41 minutes
Jacob Sartorius: I take a breath. I buy myself a moment.

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

02 Jul 2024 · 32 minutes
We become the places we love, by David Whyte

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

25 Jun 2024 · 35 minutes
Nate Berkus: Designing your space in the world

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

18 Jun 2024 · 29 minutes
How to find – and feed – your passion, by Danny Meyer

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

11 Jun 2024 · 21 minutes
What's most vital is right in front of me, by Stephen Wilkes

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

04 Jun 2024 · 30 minutes
Stories my father told me, by Lindsey Stirling

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

28 May 2024 · 27 minutes
We're doing this thing together, by Kristin Windbigler

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

21 May 2024 · 36 minutes
Duff Goldman: Speaking without words

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

14 May 2024 · 32 minutes
My battle as a beginner opens up a world of wonder, by Nataly Dawn

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

07 May 2024 · 40 minutes
Let them see you cry, by Reshma Saujani

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

30 Apr 2024 · 32 minutes
Aasif Mandvi: Getting out of my own head

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

23 Apr 2024 · 28 minutes
Introducing: Offsite Adventures

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

17 Apr 2024 · 20 minutes
Move forward without moving on, by Kelly Rizzo

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

09 Apr 2024 · 31 minutes
Staying insightful, playful, and alert, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

01 Apr 2024 · 16 minutes
To do hard things, be adaptable, by Alex Honnold

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

26 Mar 2024 · 27 minutes
Finding inspiration from strong women, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

19 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
How I connect to my unique place in history, by Zuri Adele

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

12 Mar 2024 · 34 minutes
Stay open to find belonging, by Tami Simon

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

05 Mar 2024 · 35 minutes
Rethinking our relationship with time, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

29 Feb 2024 · 11 minutes
Redefine your generational patterns, by Marcia Gay Harden

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

27 Feb 2024 · 37 minutes
My side hustle to a better life, by Rachel Cargle

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

20 Feb 2024 · 33 minutes
Recognize the healing powers of your gifts, by Ruth E. Carter

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

13 Feb 2024 · 40 minutes
Finding steadiness and stability — a practice for distracted minds, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

08 Feb 2024 · 14 minutes
Show up for yourself to show up for others, by Jefferson Fisher

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

06 Feb 2024 · 38 minutes
Release the expectations that limit you, by Lulu Wang

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

30 Jan 2024 · 35 minutes
Embracing everything life has to offer, by Garrett McNamara

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

23 Jan 2024 · 39 minutes
Rediscover the roots of your joy, by Dr. Kwane Stewart

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

16 Jan 2024 · 37 minutes
It's ok to be wrong, by Gretchen Rubin

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

14 Jan 2024 · 30 minutes
Creative potential is everywhere, by Jon Foreman

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

09 Jan 2024 · 35 minutes
Tig Notaro: There’s more than one way to get there

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

02 Jan 2024 · 33 minutes
New beginnings, endless possibilities, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

28 Dec 2023 · 14 minutes
Finding magic in the quiet moments, by Jade Bowler

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

26 Dec 2023 · 33 minutes
Unleash your inner lion, by Jen Hatmaker

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

19 Dec 2023 · 41 minutes
Feeling safe, sound, and at peace while you travel, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

14 Dec 2023 · 12 minutes
Let the symphony of life unfold all around you, by Matthieu Ricard

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

12 Dec 2023 · 37 minutes
Embrace every part of yourself, by Suneel Gupta

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

05 Dec 2023 · 39 minutes
What kindness means to us

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

28 Nov 2023 · 10 minutes
Jason Mraz: Finding the energy we need, all around us

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

27 Nov 2023 · 39 minutes
Diana Nyad: Giving life everything we’ve got

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

21 Nov 2023 · 31 minutes
Rewrite your inner monologue, by Kim Fields

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

14 Nov 2023 · 21 minutes
Small acts of kindness for ourselves and others, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

09 Nov 2023 · 12 minutes
The strength we seek is all around us, by Mirna Valerio

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

07 Nov 2023 · 37 minutes
The human truth underneath our armor, by Keith Ferrazzi

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

01 Nov 2023 · 36 minutes
A trick for finding warmth and comfort, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

30 Oct 2023 · 11 minutes
Cherishing every moment in time, by Louie Schwartzberg

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

25 Oct 2023 · 38 minutes
How the natural world connects us all, by Indy Officinalis

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

19 Oct 2023 · 34 minutes
Embrace a life full of possibility, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

17 Oct 2023 · 12 minutes
Carla Hall: The power of play

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

10 Oct 2023 · 36 minutes
Joseph Goldstein: It's ok not to know

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

03 Oct 2023 · 39 minutes
Calming the mind and body for sleep, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

28 Sep 2023 · 12 minutes
You are enough, messiness and all, by Jessamyn Stanley

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

26 Sep 2023 · 34 minutes
Tamron Hall: Give yourself permission to believe

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

19 Sep 2023 · 38 minutes
Adam Grant: Practice taming your fear

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

12 Sep 2023 · 31 minutes
Martha Beck: Letting our hearts take the lead

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

05 Sep 2023 · 38 minutes
Let your body be the guide, by Andrea Gibson

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

29 Aug 2023 · 37 minutes
We become the places we love, by David Whyte

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

29 Aug 2023 · 35 minutes
Getting curious about how we learn, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

24 Aug 2023 · 15 minutes
Asking for what we need, by Kathryn Nicolai

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

22 Aug 2023 · 35 minutes
The spaces that give our lives meaning, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

17 Aug 2023 · 12 minutes
There’s nobody like you, by Eddie Huang

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

15 Aug 2023 · 33 minutes
Finding your voice when you need it the most, by Zoe Lister-Jones

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

08 Aug 2023 · 34 minutes
Robin Arzón: Do big things one step at a time

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

01 Aug 2023 · 32 minutes
Joe Wicks: Racing toward passion and away from fear

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

25 Jul 2023 · 34 minutes
Learning to share our honest, imperfect stories, by Leila Day

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

20 Jul 2023 · 37 minutes
How to mindfully come home from work, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

18 Jul 2023 · 14 minutes
Soledad O’Brien: Seeing the potential in others and ourselves

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

11 Jul 2023 · 37 minutes
Sleep Song: An invitation to rest

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

08 Jul 2023 · 28 minutes
Letting go of the need to do it all, by Meredith Goldstein

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

05 Jul 2023 · 37 minutes
Feeding the kindness, bravery, and love in our lives, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

29 Jun 2023 · 18 minutes
Discover the power of self-compassion, by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

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

27 Jun 2023 · 41 minutes
Duff Goldman: Speaking without words

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

20 Jun 2023 · 32 minutes
Embracing everything life has to offer, by Garrett McNamara

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

06 Jun 2023 · 39 minutes
Sharon Salzberg: How I found kindness as my compass

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

30 May 2023 · 35 minutes
Tig Notaro: There’s more than one way to get there

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

23 May 2023 · 33 minutes
Learning to heal by learning to feel, by Niall Breslin

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

16 May 2023 · 39 minutes
Creating calm, inside and out, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

11 May 2023 · 10 minutes
Reaching our full potential is not a solo act, by Terence Blanchard

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

09 May 2023 · 35 minutes
There’s beauty in breaking the rules, by Felix Barrett (Sleep No More, Punchdrunk)

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

03 May 2023 · 39 minutes
Building a bond with my son, by Dan Harris

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

01 May 2023 · 26 minutes
Building trust in ourselves, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

27 Apr 2023 · 17 minutes
Jay Shetty: Learn to see the layers in everyone

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

25 Apr 2023 · 27 minutes
Krista Tippett: What we discover when we’re not looking

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

25 Apr 2023 · 27 minutes
The secret to aging well, by Chip Conley

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

18 Apr 2023 · 37 minutes
Learning to show love and kindness to ourselves, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

13 Apr 2023 · 15 minutes
Reducing anxiety 24 hours at a time, by Bakari Sellers

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

06 Apr 2023 · 33 minutes
How I connect to my unique place in history, by Zuri Adele

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

30 Mar 2023 · 34 minutes
Together, we move from fear to hope, by Varshini Prakash

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

23 Mar 2023 · 36 minutes
A meditation for balance, renewal, and reframing, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

14 Mar 2023 · 17 minutes
Finding possibility in life’s forced pauses, by AD

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

09 Mar 2023 · 34 minutes
From great loss, a great freedom, by Isabel Allende

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

02 Mar 2023 · 42 minutes
Finding my flow state, by Chad Sanders

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

23 Feb 2023 · 30 minutes
Making adjustments in free fall, by Curtis Rivers

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

16 Feb 2023 · 33 minutes
A self-love meditation, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

14 Feb 2023 · 17 minutes
The power of a simple loving presence, by Hannah Cross

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

09 Feb 2023 · 34 minutes
Writing the main character, by Franklin Leonard

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

03 Feb 2023 · 29 minutes
Finding magic in the quiet moments, by Jade Bowler

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

26 Jan 2023 · 33 minutes
Eric Whitacre: Soul Curriculum

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

24 Jan 2023 · 29 minutes
Finding meaning in the vastness of the universe, by Michelle Thaller

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

17 Jan 2023 · 27 minutes
To swim in a sea of stars, by Eric Whitacre

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

12 Jan 2023 · 33 minutes
Jai Punjabi: Soul Curriculum

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

10 Jan 2023 · 23 minutes
Changing the game, by Tim Shriver

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

05 Jan 2023 · 36 minutes
Small victories — a celebration of the past year, by Rohan Gunatillake

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

29 Dec 2022 · 11 minutes
When the sharks start to circle, by Cristina Mittermeier

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

22 Dec 2022 · 35 minutes
Tom Mustill: Soul Curriculum

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

20 Dec 2022 · 26 minutes
Waking up to change: Stories of hearing the call

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

15 Dec 2022 · 22 minutes
David Duchovny: Some lessons take years to sink in

Before his rise to fame, David Duchovny is a popular kid – charming, funny, bright, and athletic, beloved by friends... more

14 Dec 2022 · 32 minutes
The beetle and the whale, by Tom Mustill

Nature filmmaker Tom Mustill travels the globe capturing breathtaking footage of animals while highlighting the work of the world’s leading... more

08 Dec 2022 · 38 minutes
Meditative Story
Finding meaning in the vastness of the universe, by Michelle Thaller
Meditative Story
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Description

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