Ted Meissner is a master interviewer; one of his greatest skills is simply giving his speakers space to talk. Discussions about Buddhist practitioners from all walks of life is interesting and meaningful.

This podcast is right up my alley. I love the guests and the perspectives they bring to this topic. My only complaint is that I wish the show was longer. With 30-40 minutes per interview there isn’t enough time to delve too deep into some topics. Long form interviews would provide more expansive conversations. Thanks again Ted!

I listened to the first six episodes of the show and found the content and discussions engaging and thought-provoking. What I found difficult was the noise that overwhelms the discussions to the point that one must strain to hear what the speakers are saying. I'm not sure why Ted decided to hold these discussions in noisy environments like coffee shops, where the sounds of steamers and people talking and slamming glass wear around in the background impedes the quality of the listeners' experience to the point that you just want to turn it off. Perhaps he never intended to concern himself about others' listening experience and was just thinking of his own conversational process, rather than who might be listening. If you can get past the poor production quality, you will certainly enjoy this podcast.

Love the discussion and insight provided.

This is such a wonderful example of how different philosophies can complement one another, and another example (although not the only) of how one might be both spiritual and an atheist. Thank you for the great podcast Ted!

Think about it, secular Buddhism is a watered down philosophy that demands justice and ethics but rejects absolute morality and absolute truth. The two ideas are not compatible, but keep searching!

Very open-minded discussions! Secular Buddhist's host Ted Meissner finds BUddhist teachers and Buddhist practitioners from all different sects and groups, often professionals in science, journalism and other secular disciplines. I don't think I'm exactly a secular Buddhist---I'm learning in the very religious Tibetan tradition and from a personal standpoint, I'm about halfway between secular and religious, and I find Ted's open-mindedness, humanity, and lack of an agenda refreshing. Check out his talk with Ethan Nichtern from The Interdependence Project, especially

This podcast makes an attempt to put a new coat of paint on traditional buddhism to make it more palatable. I wish it had more female guests....at times it feels like guys talking to guys...

Listening the Ted Meissner and his guests is to the brain what healthy organic food and daily exercise are to the whole body. It stimulates and satisfies. I was introduced to The Secular Buddhist podcast a week ago, listened to 5 episodes in one afternoon, and fell in love with Episodes 8 and 9, Spirituality for Atheists part 1 and 2, with Grant Steves, which I listened on a loop for three days. It blew my mind. And it is not only because of the brilliance of Grant Steves, his clarity of thoughts and language (Here is an academic who talks to be understood), but it is also Ted's style as a host. He actually listens to his interviewees, contributes to the topic with just as much brilliance and sensitivity without stealing the spotlight from his guests, and responds in ways that keep the conversation going for a very long time without ever losing steam. Even on topics I know (Episode 81, Dan Siegel on Mindsight) he still manages to both clarify and deepen many points. Ted doesn't address the specialist in any particular topic. He addresses a general audience and offers a scrumptious cocktail of cognitive, emotional, and social intelligence served in the silver goblet of an enchanting speaking voice.

This is a thoughtful and engaging podcast. I feel that listening to the episodes add to my understanding of the meditation practice, the wider world of Buddhist thought and the dharma.

I have been listening to Ted Meissner's Secular Buddhist podcast for about six months. I have found it to be an excellent resource for Buddhist philosophy and practice with a clear and ever-present attentiveness to a skeptical/scientifically-based philosophy on Mr. Meissner's part. It is this position that makes the podcast particularly useful as the host will graciously and thoughtfully draw distinctions between the positions of some of his guests and his own positions. This secular arrangement focused on mindfulness makes the podcast an excellent resource for both mental health professionals, such as myself, and students training in these professions. I put the Secular Buddhist Podcast on both my Research and Human Behavior in the Social Environment Syllabi for courses that I teach at the graduate level of Social Work.

It's so enjoyable to listen to these discussions of themes I've long been interested in. As a skeptical atheist and firm believer in the principals and practices of early Buddhist teachings, apart from the religious assertions that have accumulated over time, Ted Meissner's approach is excellent for debating these issues. Cheers brother, keep up the good work!

Fulfilling a gap in secularist thinking.

I have long been interested in Buddhism as an approach to living, but I always tripped up on the supernatural trappings. I just couldn't buy into the gods and demons and reincarnated lamas that I had to wade through to get down to the essence of the philosophy. It was such a pleasant surprise to discover this podcast, the accompanying website and the Facebook page. Ted Meissner is a buddhist, an atheist, and a humanist. He is warm, funny and easy to listen to. He has brought in a wide range of guests, everybody from people getting ready to enter a Buddhist monastery to avowed "New Atheists". This podcast has been a great touchstone and put me in contact with a network of people who share an interest in the practicality of the Buddhist worldview, but stripped of all the mysticism, woo-woo and magical thinking.

Warmly human conversations cover the widest possible range of topics for all Buddhists, atheists and agnostics who are interested in the way we put these theories into practice in everyday life. From labels, how we use them and lose them, to coming out of the irreligious closet, to interviews with those who are opening up new directions and giving form to changing ideas, Ted Meissner's Secular Buddhist podcast, website, and discussion board provides a lively forum for matters both practical and lofty, grounded in "the grind" and aiming for the future. Subscribe to the podcast but don't stop there -- grab a drink and join the discussion.

This podcast is an excellent way to explore Buddhist philosophy apart from any supernatural trappings. Ted is a wonderful host, with a voice and manner made for radio (and podcasting).