What's This Tao All About?

What's This Tao All About?

A lighthearted Taoism podcast hosted by a journalist and Tao philosopher.

Episodes

Show 106 — Overcoming Contentiousness

March 15, 2026
Tod and George examine the works of Derek Lin and Chuang Tzu to discuss how to live with less contention and greater harmony. Also, George shares the power of the “sacred” pause, and Tod shares why balancing your internal checkbook can help you find peace.
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Show 105 — Li, Listener Mail, Hundun

February 15, 2026
Tod and George explore the concept of li, or the natural energy patterns inherent in all of us. They also help a listener with love problems and examine Chuang Tzu’s tragedy of Hundun, the faceless but benevolent emperor. Pick up a copy of Dr.Sijo: The Taoist Monk in Modern Clothing by Jeremy Newman
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Show 104 — Wu-Chi and Chuang Tzu’s Metamorphosis

January 25, 2026
Tod shares how Jason Gregory’s “The Tradition of Natural Taoism” aims to correct some Western interpretations of the Tao. Also, George explains the mysterious emptiness of wu-chi and the pair dive deep into one of Chuang Tzu’s strangest stories, “Metamorphosis.” Pick up a copy of Dr.Sijo: The Taoist Monk in Modern Clothing by Jeremy Newman
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Show 103 — How to Be Kind to Yourself

November 5, 2025
Tod took a trip to Cuba and felt an incredible joy getting away from technology and consumer culture for a few days. George shares tips on being kind to yourself and building space around your personal challenges to put them in proper perspective. Also, Chuang Tzu’s thoughts on being competitive.
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Show 102 — Lu Dong Pin’s Dream and the Tower of Spirit

October 13, 2025
Tod interviewed Deepak Chopra for a work assignment and asked for his thoughts on Taoism. Later, Tod and George also explore Lu Dong Pin’s dream, which led him to reject worldly power for the Tao, and Chuang Tzu’s “Tower of Spirit,” a lesson in guarding sincerity. George’s new film, “What is Consciousness?”
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Show 101 — Dr. Totton’s passing, Chuang Tzu’s Active Life, and Listener Mail

September 17, 2025
After nearly two years in hospice care, Dr. Totton has passed away, Tod discusses the aftermath. Later, George talks about how improv classes have helped his Tao cultivation and they dive deep into Chuang Tzu’s chapter on the “Active Life.” Also, a listener asks how they can be more disciplined in their practice. GoFundMe: Care […]
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Show 100 — The Unseen and Detachment

July 17, 2025
Tod and George dig deep into the writings of Derek Lin to discuss how to interact with the unseen and the power of detachment. Later, they discuss relationships and Chuang Tzu’s “Man of Character.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 99 — Faith and Chuang Tzu’s Monkeys

June 26, 2025
George and Tod contemplate the age-old debate about whether all spiritual practices lead down the same path. Later, they examine the role that faith plays in Taoism and examine the wisdom of Chuang Tzu’s monkeys. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 98 — Mirror Mind and Intuitive Wisdom

June 4, 2025
Tod and George examine the mysterious concept of the “mirror mind” and how it can help you live in the present moment, and how to make decisions by getting in touch with our intuitive wisdom. Later, they dig into Chuang Tzu’s chapter on “Great and Small.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final […]
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Show 97 — Radical Acceptance

April 13, 2025
Prompted by a passage in Derek Lin’s “Tao of Joy” book, Tod and George discuss the Taoist attitude of radically accepting the external world and ourselves. Plus, a listener asks about the difference between Taoism and Buddhism. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 96 — Getting Unstuck and Chuang Tzu’s Morality

March 24, 2025
With the help of some insightful folks from Reddit, Tod and George dive into what it means to age gracefully—without getting stuck in their ways. They also explore their current challenges of cultivating the Tao and unpack the morality of Chuang Tzu through his chapter on apologies. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His […]
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Show 95 — The Tao of Play and Chuang Tzu’s ‘Good Fortune’

March 3, 2025
On this episode, Tod reviews George Thompson’s new movie “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.” The two also examine George’s ideas about play and Chung Tzu’s thoughts on the true meaning of having good fortune. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 94 — William Martin, Author of ‘Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching’

February 9, 2025
Tod Talks with William Martin, author of “Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching.” We discuss his transformation from pastor to Taoist, the liberation Taoism offers from societal conditioning, and how it counters today’s constant wave of mediated information. William also reflects on learning from Alan Watts at the Esalen Institute, explores fear […]
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Show 93 — Excess Baggage and the ‘Kingly Man’

January 20, 2025
Tod and George reflect on Derek Lin’s insights about the unnecessary baggage we carry through life. They also discuss Thomas Merton’s translation of Chuang-Tzu’s “Kingly Man,” and George shares practical tips on how we can all let go of our excess baggage. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 92 — Praise and Action vs. Non-Action

January 2, 2025
Tod and George examine why Lao Tzu says that Tao cultivators should work without looking for praise. Later, Chuang Tzu’s Action vs. Non-Action and David Lynch teaches how to catch the big fish. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 91 — Manifestation and Senselessness

December 11, 2024
George and Tod discuss whether the concept of manifestation works within the Tao and how we can all embrace the senselessness of the cosmos. Also, George talks about his new film, “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days Watch George Thompson’s new film, “The Subtle Art […]
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Show 90 — Taoism and Recovery with Buddy C.

November 5, 2024
On this episode, Tod talks with Buddy C., the host of the “Tao of Our Understanding” podcast that looks at Taoism through the lens of addiction and recovery. Here, Buddy discusses how Taoism helped him overcome addiction and his recovery-focused version of the Tao Te Ching, “Powerless But Not Hopeless.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl […]
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Show 89 — The Inner Law

August 11, 2024
Tod and George examine Chuang Tzu’s inner law, a chapter that discusses whether we should be directed by our inner vice or outside forces. Plus, Tod answers an interesting philosophical question from his 8-year-old son, and George shares a gratitude practice. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 88 — Born in Tao

July 28, 2024
Tod and George discuss Chuang Tzu’s “Man is Born in Tao” and examine how we know whether we are connected to the Tao or not. Plus, a children’s TV show is getting into Taoism and why popcorn is cannibalism. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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Show 87 — Chuang Tzu and liberation

July 8, 2024
Tod and George start their investigation into the works of Chuang Tzu with Thomas Merton’s translation of his pivotal chapter, “Man of Tao.” We also meet our new co-host, George Thompson and Tod shares an update on Dr. Carl Totton’s health. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days
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