The wonderful civil rights elder Vincent Harding liked to look around the world for what he called "live human signposts"... more

An impassioned plea, a yearning for connection — the poem U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón wrote when she says all... more

We are strange creatures. It is hard for us to speak about, or let in, the reality of frailty and... more

Today, a poem with a poignant question to live: “...and are we not of interest to each other?” Carry Elizabeth... more

We humans have this drive to erect barriers between ourselves and others, Luis Alberto Urrea says, and yet this makes... more

In our world of so much suffering, it can feel hard or wrong to invoke the word "joy." Yet joy... more

In this all-new episode, Krista engages biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus in a second, urgent conversation, alongside creative biomimicry practitioner Azita... more

In a time of stress, uncertainty, and isolation, Christine Runyan turns our attention to what often evades our awareness —... more

The years of pandemic and lockdown are still working powerfully on us from the inside. But we have trouble acknowledging... more

We are overjoyed to share this heart-stirring performance with you, which transpired when we invited the ornithologist/poet/former On Being guest... more

Here is a stunning sentence for you, written by Lyndsey Stonebridge, our guest this hour, channeling the 20th-century political thinker... more

A taste of a special mini-season of Poetry Unbound — bringing contemplative curiosity and the life-nurturing tether of poetry to the... more

There is an ecological transformation unfolding in the places we love and come from. On a front edge of this... more

In her writing, it is Kate DiCamillo's gift to make bearable the fact that joy and sorrow live so close,... more

A special two-month season of On Being starts May 9. Freshly curated conversations from across the On Being archive. Big... more

Here are some experiences to which Nick Cave gives voice and song: the "universal condition" of yearning, and of loss;... more

A little musing on this season, the spectacular finale headed your way — and ways to stay connected in the... more

Our built world is designed around something called "normal," and yet every single one of our bodies is mysterious, and... more

The ecological crisis we are standing before is at once civilizational and personal — intimately close to each of us... more

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words... more

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Dance Party.” This poem is featured in Clint’s On Being conversation with Krista, “What We... more

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Ode to Those First Fifteen Minutes After the Kids Are Finally Asleep.” This poem is... more

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words... more

From Krista: I loved being interviewed by Dan Harris as much as I've ever enjoyed being on the other side... more

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor and... more

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor... more

A wondrous, buried treasure from the 20-year On Being archive, with renowned yoga teacher Matthew Sanford. Be prepared, as you... more

Baratunde Thurston is a comedian, writer, and media entrepreneur. He has eyes open to the contradictions, strangeness, and beauty of... more

In this season of On Being and those to come, we are going to train the core human questions on... more

“Becoming other people” for a living, as Kerry Washington likes to describe her craft, turns out to be a revelatory... more

We love the theologian Kate Bowler's allergy to every platitude and her wisdom and wit about the strange and messy... more

This blessing is featured in Kate’s conversation with Krista, “On Being in a Body.” It's published in her book The... more

A big conversation to live by starting NEXT WEEK — every Thursday — from September 21. Loss — and love. AI... more

From Krista: I have been texting this exquisite poem from our archives to my beloveds. Perhaps it will touch you... more

Hello friends, it is a joy to introduce the new season of Poetry Unbound, which is underway. As Krista shares... more

Pádraig makes an announcement, and we listen to a few lovely moments from the On Being season we've just brought... more

We need a modicum of vitality to simply be alive in this time. And we're in an enduringly tender place.... more

An excerpt from the On Being episode, "To Be a Healer." The extraordinary physician and public servant stilled a raucous... more

We need a modicum of vitality to simply be alive in this time. And we're in an enduringly tender place.... more

"I like it much better than ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ — to be a seeker after the sacred or the holy,... more

"I like it much better than ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ — to be a seeker after the sacred or the holy,... more

To say that Ruth Wilson Gilmore is a geographer, which she is, is not to convey the vast and varied... more

There is a quiet, redemptive story of our time in this conversation — a radical way of approaching the gravest... more

The flow and the ingredients by which an idea becomes an offering — and life practices which call that alchemy... more

In this rich, expansive, and warm conversation between friends, Krista draws out the heart for humanity behind Isabel Wilkerson's eye... more

You might want to take a walk with this one. It is big and full of brain food and an... more

You might want to take a walk with this one. It is big and full of brain food and an... more

Nick Offerman has played many great characters, most famously Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation, and he starred more recently... more

An electric conversation with Ada Limón's wisdom and her poetry — a refreshing, full-body experience of how this way with... more

Ada Limón reads her poem, “Dead Stars.” This poem is featured in Ada’s On Being conversation with Krista, “To Be... more

Ada Limón reads her poem, “The Quiet Machine.” This poem is featured in Ada’s On Being conversation with Krista, “To... more

Ada Limón reads her poem, “A New National Anthem.” This poem is featured in Ada’s On Being conversation with Krista,... more

Amanda Ripley began her life as a journalist covering crime, disaster, and terrorism. Then in 2018, she published a brilliant... more

One of the most fascinating developments of our time is that human qualities we have understood in terms of virtue... more

We are immensely grateful for your patience in our season of podcasting pause. But enough already. Starting Thursday, February 2,... more

In the modern western world, vocation was equated with work. But each of us has callings, not merely to be... more

We inhabit a liminal time between what we thought we knew and what we can’t quite yet see. But time... more

We live in a world in love with the form of words that is an opinion, and the way with... more

The first of four short offerings, more wisdom practice than podcast: life-giving, hope-generating words, ideas and practices that can literally... more

Three years ago, Krista texted Pádraig Ó Tuama with a simple question: what if he were to start a poetry... more

Krista returns from her summer in Berlin, where her present-day self reunited with the 25-year-old of the 1980s, at large... more

A special offering from Krista Tippett and all of us at On Being: an incredible, celebratory event — listening back... more

The beloved civil rights elder Vincent Harding liked to look around the world for what he called "live human signposts"... more

Krista interviewed the wise and wonderful writer Ocean Vuong on March 8, 2020 in a joyful, crowded room full of... more

We are in the final weeks as On Being evolves to its next chapter — in a world that is... more

Amidst all of the perspectives and arguments around our ecological future, this much is true: we are not in the... more

Amidst all of the perspectives and arguments around our ecological future, this much is true: we are not in the... more

The conversation of this hour always rises as an early experience that imprinted everything that came after at On Being.... more

The conversation of this hour always rises as an early experience that imprinted everything that came after at On Being.... more

It has ever and always been true, David Whyte reminds us, that so much of human experience is a conversation... more

David Whyte reads his poem, “Everything is Waiting for You.” This poem is featured in David’s On Being conversation with... more

David Whyte reads his poem, “Working Together.” This poem is featured in David’s On Being conversation with Krista, “Seeking Language... more

David Whyte reads his poem, “Sweet Darkness.” This poem is featured in David’s On Being conversation with Krista, “Seeking Language... more

It has ever and always been true, David Whyte reminds us, that so much of human experience is a conversation... more

As we approach nearly two decades of On Being, Krista shares a moment from the earliest years of the show... more

The British psychologist Kimberley Wilson works in the emergent field of whole body mental health, one of the most astonishing... more

The British psychologist Kimberley Wilson works in the emergent field of whole body mental health, one of the most astonishing... more

Few books have been more eagerly passed from hand to hand with delight in these last years than Robin Wall... more

Few books have been more eagerly passed from hand to hand with delight in these last years than Robin Wall... more

A few years ago, Krista hosted an event in Detroit — a city in flux — on the theme of... more

The beloved Buddhist-Jewish teacher Sylvia Boorstein led this impromptu, short meditation as part of her On Being conversation with Krista... more

A few years ago, Krista hosted an event in Detroit — a city in flux — on the theme of... more

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a friend, teacher, and colleague to the work of On Being. But before that was true,... more

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a friend, teacher, and colleague to the work of On Being. But before that was true,... more

The visionary, next-generation organizer Ai-jen Poo says this of Tarana Burke: “There are just so many layers of hope that... more

You probably know the outline of the Exodus story and its main characters: Moses, the Pharaoh, the burning bush, the... more

You probably know the outline of the Exodus story and its main characters: Moses, the Pharaoh, the burning bush, the... more

“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” These are words of the late legendary... more

“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” These are words of the late legendary... more

The late poet Mary Oliver is among the most beloved writers of modern times. Amidst the harshness of life, she... more

The late poet Mary Oliver is among the most beloved writers of modern times. Amidst the harshness of life, she... more

What do poetry, songs, and prayer have in common? While preparing for the next season of Poetry Unbound, host Pádraig... more

The ornithologist J. Drew Lanham is lyrical in the languages of science, humans, and birds. His celebrated books include The... more

The ornithologist J. Drew Lanham is lyrical in the languages of science, humans, and birds. His celebrated books include The... more

In her writing, it is Kate DiCamillo's gift to make bearable the fact that joy and sorrow live so close,... more

The astrophysicist Mario Livio spent 24 years at the Space Telescope Science Institute working with the Hubble Telescope, which has... more

The astrophysicist Mario Livio spent 24 years at the Space Telescope Science Institute working with the Hubble Telescope, which has... more

There is an ecological transformation unfolding in the places we love and come from. On a front edge of this... more

We’ve noticed that many people have been seeking out this poem by Rilke on our website this week. It feels... more

When time becomes history, different dynamics come into focus than the ones that are at any moment screaming for attention.... more

When time becomes history, different dynamics come into focus than the ones that are at any moment screaming for attention.... more

It’s a piece of deep psychological acuity, carried in many religious traditions: that each of us is defined as much... more

It’s a piece of deep psychological acuity, carried in many religious traditions: that each of us is defined as much... more

No conversation we’ve ever done has been more beloved than this one. The Irish poet, theologian, and philosopher insisted on... more

No conversation we’ve ever done has been more beloved than this one. The Irish poet, theologian, and philosopher insisted on... more

Trabian Shorters is a visionary who has seen and named a task that is necessary for all healing and building,... more

Trabian Shorters is a visionary who has seen and named a task that is necessary for all healing and building,... more

The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, revered Zen master, teacher, and poet, died on January 22, 2022, in his native Vietnam.... more

The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, revered Zen master, teacher, and poet, died on January 22, 2022, in his native Vietnam.... more

Krista interviewed Larry Ward around the edges of a retreat with revered Zen master, teacher, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh... more

Krista interviewed Cheri Maples around the edges of a retreat with revered Zen master, teacher, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh... more

Michael Pollan is one of our most revelatory explorers of the interaction between the human and natural worlds — especially... more

Journalist Oliver Burkeman has made a delightful and important philosophical, spiritual, and practical investigation of all that is truly at... more

Journalist Oliver Burkeman has made a delightful and important philosophical, spiritual, and practical investigation of all that is truly at... more

The remarkable Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and Nobel Laureate died in the closing days of 2021. He helped galvanize... more

The remarkable Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and Nobel Laureate died in the closing days of 2021. He helped galvanize... more

Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton collects sounds from around the world. He’s recorded inside Sitka spruce logs in the Pacific Northwest,... more

Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton collects sounds from around the world. He’s recorded inside Sitka spruce logs in the Pacific Northwest,... more

Here we are in a religiously-infused season — and in a world in which more and more of us experience... more

Here we are in a religiously-infused season — and in a world in which more and more of us experience... more

The esteemed writer Jane Hirshfield has been a Zen monk and a visiting artist among neuroscientists. She has said this:... more

The esteemed writer Jane Hirshfield has been a Zen monk and a visiting artist among neuroscientists. She has said this:... more

In so many stories and fables that shape us, cold and snow, the closing in of the light — these... more

In so many stories and fables that shape us, cold and snow, the closing in of the light — these... more

What if the future of well-being is about “tipping the scales in the world away from fear and toward love”?... more

What if the future of well-being is about “tipping the scales in the world away from fear and toward love”?... more

Jane Goodall’s early research studying chimpanzees helped shape the self-understanding of our species and recalled modern Western science to the... more

Jane Goodall’s early research studying chimpanzees helped shape the self-understanding of our species and recalled modern Western science to the... more

Pico Iyer is an esteemed journalist and essayist, and an explorer of inner life — for himself and in 21st-century... more

When Krista interviewed the psychiatrist and trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk for the first time, his book The Body... more

Krista interviewed the psychiatrist and trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk for the first time in 2013, as his book... more

How to embrace what’s right and corrective, redemptive and restorative — and an insistence that each of us is more... more

How to embrace what’s right and corrective, redemptive and restorative — and an insistence that each of us is more... more

Where to turn to find my place of standing when it feels like the world is on fire? This question... more

Where to turn to find my place of standing when it feels like the world is on fire? This question... more

Katharine Hayhoe is one of the most esteemed atmospheric scientists in the world. She’s made her mark by connecting dots... more

Katharine Hayhoe is one of the most esteemed atmospheric scientists in the world. She’s made her mark by connecting dots... more

We’re in a time as thick with uncertainty as with possibility. Many of us are still, and again, exhausted —... more

“I grew up a witness,” Mike Rose wrote, “to the intelligence of the waitress in motion, the reflective welder, the... more

“I grew up a witness,” Mike Rose wrote, “to the intelligence of the waitress in motion, the reflective welder, the... more

Priya Parker has become the voice of what it means to gather in this world we inhabit now. She is... more

Priya Parker has become the voice of what it means to gather in this world we inhabit now. She is... more

One of the great challenges of life is to learn to be alone peaceably, at home in oneself. The pandemic... more

One of the great challenges of life is to learn to be alone peaceably, at home in oneself. The pandemic... more

An irreverent conversation about hope between journalist Wajahat Ali and theologian Kate Bowler. They speak to this moment we’re in... more

Suzanne Simard is the forest ecologist who has proven, beyond doubt, that trees communicate with each other — that a... more

Suzanne Simard is the forest ecologist who has proven, beyond doubt, that trees communicate with each other — that a... more

We are digging into the archives to celebrate some of the conversations listeners have loved the most and that have... more

We are digging into the archives to celebrate some of the conversations listeners have loved the most and that have... more

We humans have this drive to erect barriers between ourselves and others, Luis Alberto Urrea says, and yet this makes... more

Through the ruptures of the past year and more, we’ve been given so much to learn, and callings to live... more

Through the ruptures of the past year and more, we’ve been given so much to learn, and callings to live... more

We are digging into the archives to celebrate some of the conversations listeners have loved the most and that have... more

As we reflect back on 2020 and look ahead, how do we keep walking forward, and even find renewal along... more

As we reflect back on 2020 and look ahead, how do we keep walking forward, and even find renewal along... more

“I’m entering into this next phase… with a great deal of curiosity and perhaps tenderness, wanting to hold each other... more

“I’m entering into this next phase… with a great deal of curiosity and perhaps tenderness, wanting to hold each other... more

Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed has been a sensation of 2020 and beyond, and now she’s launched a new podcast titled... more

Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed has been a sensation of 2020 and beyond, and now she’s launched a new podcast titled... more

If we didn’t have vast civilizational challenges upon us, we might be living in a constant state of wonder at... more

If we didn’t have vast civilizational challenges upon us, we might be living in a constant state of wonder at... more

The psychotherapist Esther Perel has changed our discourse about sexuality and coupledom with her TED talks, her books, and her... more

The psychotherapist Esther Perel has changed our discourse about sexuality and coupledom with her TED talks, her books, and her... more

Jason Reynolds is the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature of the Library of Congress — and a magnificent source... more

Jason Reynolds is the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature of the Library of Congress — and a magnificent source... more

A new translation of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet has been released in a world in which... more

A new translation of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet has been released in a world in which... more

Alex Elle complicates the idea of self-care, opening it up as community-care, as a way towards generational healing. And she’s... more

Alex Elle complicates the idea of self-care, opening it up as community-care, as a way towards generational healing. And she’s... more

Elemental human capacities like friendship and love, teaching and learning, have tremendous, constant, practical force. We don’t think of these... more