Podcast Episodes

  • ABC #184: Pointers To Insight (Part 6)
    In which we continue the story of Japanese Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. In this episode, he receives two honors from his teacher, and then leaves for a large monastery. Watch ...
  • ABC #183: Pointers To Insight (Part 5)
    In which we continue the story of Japanese Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. In this episode, Morinaga talks about lineage and tradition, and the bond between student and teacher. Watch the ...
  • ABC #182: Poetry Fridays: John Ashbery
    In which we listen to John Ashbery read several poems from a 1963 recording. Watch the YouTube version. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat‘s ...
  • ABC #181: Pointers To Insight (Part 4)
    In which we continue the story of Japanese Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. In this episode, Morinaga is a new student of Zen and is learning the hard way. [Photo ...
  • ABC #180: Pointers To Insight (Part 3)
    In which we continue the story of Japanese Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. In this episode, he meets his first Buddhist teacher. Watch the YouTube version. — This show is only ...
  • ABC #179: Pointers To Insight (Part 2)
    In which we continue the story of Japanese Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. In this episode, Morinaga returns to school after fighting in WWII, and struggles with good vs. evil. Watch ...
  • ABC #178: Pointers To Insight (Part 1)
    In which I read from and discuss Pointers To Insight, an autobiographical essay by Zen monk Soko Morinaga Roshi. This is part 1 of however many it takes, which will ...
  • ABC #177: Poetry Fridays with Martin Willits Jr.
    In which Martin Willits Jr. reads his poetry. Martin Willitts Jr. has 26 chapbooks (with two national contest winners) and 20 full-length collections (with two national winners), and is the ...
  • ABC #176: Drop Your Baggage
    In which I talk about how we set ourselves up for conflict and give one method for stopping. This is the first episode that is also on YouTube. You can ...
  • ABC #175: The Show’s First Anniversary! (with Owen Crane)
    In which Owen and I celebrate the first anniversary of A Brief Chat and look back at some fun bits. Help us celebrate by becoming a member. Thanks! — This show is ...