Mind & Life

Since this podcast launched, Wendy Hasenkamp has guided listeners through 84 in-depth conversations, bringing warmth, curiosity, and intellectual depth to every episode. After five years with the show and over 13 years with the Mind & Life Institute, Wendy is stepping into a new chapter, returning to school and pursuing studies to become a clinical herbalist. While we’ll miss her deeply, we’re excited about this new path for her, where she will surely continue to share her wisdom and guide others toward greater well-being and connection. In this special episode, Mind & Life co-producer Phil Walker sits down with Wendy for a conversation reflecting on her time as host—the insights gained, the themes that emerged, and the questions that continue to inspire her. They cover many topics, including:





her own path into contemplative science;


finding a home in the Mind & Life community;


the dialogue between Buddhism and science;


supporting science education for Tibetan monastics;


science communication, nuance & mindfulness hype;


how this podcast was born and evolved over time;


the importance of open-mindedness and critique in science;


some key themes that emerged from years of conversations with leading thinkers and scholars;


reckoning with an interdependent self;


the problem of othering;


mind-body connection;


reflections on where contemplative science has been and where it’s going;


interconnectedness with nature;


and her next steps in the world of herbalism and holistic medicine.

Full show notes and resources

Enjoy this episode with renowned meditation teacher, author, and creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Jon Kabat-Zinn. This spacious and personal conversation is full of insights on a wide range of topics, including:

what drew him to meditation;

his development of and vision for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR);

the mystery of the line between the inside and outside of any system;

adapting Buddhist practices for Western audiences;

how mindfulness has been taken up in society, and science as a main driver;

moving from "me" to "we";

the challenges of repeatability in scientific studies of meditation;

weaving together art and science;

and how 50+ years of meditation has changed him.

Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Zen Buddhist teacher and author Roshi Joan Halifax. A pioneer in the field of end-of-life care, Roshi Joan was instrumental in developing the dialogue between science and Buddhism, and has been an advocate for engaged Buddhism, social activism, and compassion in response to today's crises. This conversation covers many topics, including:

the birth of dialogues between the Dalai Lama and scientists;

how our minds are "enactive";

compassion as emergent and dependent on context;

the trainable factors that set the stage for compassion;

the importance of embodiment in health care;

non-referential compassion;

interdependence, compassion, and climate change;

working with dying people;

how letting go is safe;

clinical use of psychedelics;

and reflections on the field of contemplative science.

Full show notes and resources

In this episode from the Mind & Life archive, Wendy spoke with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many early studies, and has deep expertise in compassion, altruism, and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including:

his roots in both science and Buddhism, and his appreciation for rigorous inquiry;

his role as a participant and collaborator in contemplative science;

lessons from research on compassion vs. empathy;

how the self shows up (or doesn't) in compassion;

links between self-focus and vulnerability;

hedonia, eudiamonia, and self;

altruism and our current crises;

reconciling three time scales of concern;

sentience, life, and interdependence;

caring for our whole interconnected system;

the practice of awe;

using photography to share basic human goodness;

balancing fame and monastic life;

and a poignant example of his own personal experience of care.

Full show notes and resources

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and meditation teacher Liz Monson. Liz is one of the pioneers in combining Buddhist teachings with nature-based practices, and her work helps us connect in an embodied way to the fundamental interconnectedness of the world. This conversation covers many topics, including:





how spirituality and connection to nature fed into her path to Buddhism;


nature-based practices in the Buddhist tradition;


moving beyond human-centrism;


the energies of the natural world;


the sandcastle of the constructed self;


why human beings are really here;


lessons about human nature from 9/11;


wisdom from the trees;


practices to connect with the elements of nature;


working with elemental energies to understand emotions;


understanding the divine masculine and feminine archetypes;


psychedelics and meditation as complementary pathways toward awakening;


an experiential approach to suffering and healing;


and the need for self-compassion and love.

Full show notes and resources