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Ancient Futures

Daniel Simpson
Yoga
Buddhism
Bhagavad Gita
Psychedelics
Yoga Philosophy
Philosophy
Meditation
Tantra
Bhagavad Gītā
Dharma Code
Hinduism
Politics
Addiction
Yoga Principles
Colonialism
Therapeutic Use Of Psychedelics
Vedanta Tradition
British Colonialism
Hatha Yoga
Narendra Modi

Timeless wisdom for modern dilemmas, combining yoga philosophy, practical insight and critical thinking. Hosted by Daniel Simpson. ancientfutures.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes95Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophyReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Ancient Futures

Latest Episodes

What does it mean to be free? One of the earliest overviews of yogic ideas is the Mahābhārata, whose epic stories include extensive teachings on philosophy and practice. These are detailed in a section called the Mokṣadharma-parvan, whose primary foc... more

To what extent is yoga compatible with drama? Performance is in some ways the opposite of inward focus, yet it might still be enhanced by yogic practices.

Sergei Tcherkasski is a theatre director and teacher of acting at the Russian State Institute ... more

What distinguishes self-centredness from care for oneself? To what extent is emotional healing a spiritual practice? How might an inner sense of safety and connection fuel better relationships and more sustainable ways of living?

Justin Michelson is... more

What inspired the idea of being “spiritual but not religious”? Modern quests for experiential insight have diverse roots. Influences range from the work of Aldous Huxley – The Perennial Philosophy and The Doors of Perception – to the 12 steps of Alco... more

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Recent Guests

James Fitzgerald
Emeritus professor at Brown University and specialist on the Mahābhārata
Brown University
Episode: Epic Liberation – James Fitzgerald
Sergei Tcherkasski
Theatre director and acting teacher
Russian State Institute of Performing Arts
Episode: The Yoga of Acting – Sergei Tcherkasski
Justin Michelson
Meditation teacher and wilderness guide
Author of The Dharma of Healing
Episode: Self-Compassion – Justin Michelson
Don Lattin
Author and journalist focusing on religion, cults, and new religious movements
Episode: Spiritual Catalysts – Don Lattin
Elizabeth Sulis Kim
Author of The Book of Beasts: Reclaiming Animal Wisdom
Author; Editor of Cunning Folk magazine
Episode: Animal Magic – Elizabeth Sulis Kim
Matthew Green
Friend of the podcast, journalist, facilitator of trauma healing groups
Investigative journalism, trauma healing work
Episode: What is Awakening? – Matthew Green
Tamara Cohen
Long-term Siddha Yoga practitioner and scholar of Yoga Vasistha
Episode: Liberating Insights – Tamara Cohen
Sam Akbar
Clinical psychologist and Oxford-trained classicist
Episode: The Odyssey Mindset – Sam Akbar
David Mazower
Former BBC journalist and author of Yiddish, A Global Culture; curator of the Yiddish Book Center exhibition
Author, Yiddish Book Center exhibition
Episode: Yiddishland – David Mazower

Host

Daniel Simpson
Host of Ancient Futures

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • Daniel’s excellent podcast!

    Daniel is always interesting, challenging and thoughtful. I really appreciate all he does in these podcasts - great stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RanjuRoy
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Always a great listen.

    Daniel has such interesting guests and conversations around yoga, and is always very respectful. He asks some great questions, giving them time to respond, and never interrupting their flow. I always look forward to the next podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NakedYogi
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are interesting and the host asks great questions without interrupting the flow.
Daniel's thoughtful and challenging conversations are consistently engaging and insightful.
Always a great listen with respectful, in-depth discussions about yoga and philosophy.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Epic Liberation – James Fitzgerald
Q: How does the text reconcile renunciation with active governance and worldliness?
Renunciation is acknowledged as a valid strand, but the Mokṣadharma ultimately foregrounds a Vaishnava synthesis that integrates devotion with worldly action, arguing that true liberation can be attained while remaining engaged in the world—especially through righteous rule and dharma.
Epic Liberation – James Fitzgerald
Q: Could you first characterize what the Mokṣadharma is presenting, given that you've translated it as the laws on attaining freedom?
It presents a spectrum of approaches—Sāṅkhya and Yoga as pathways toward inner liberation, but tightly woven into a worldly framework that includes householders, kings, and the social order, showing how liberation can be pursued within duty rather than in withdrawal.
The Yoga of Acting – Sergei Tcherkasski
Q: Who was Konstantin Stanislavsky and how did he influence acting education?
Sergei explains that Stanislavsky co-founded the Moscow Art Theatre, helped create a lasting model for theatre companies, and was pivotal in shifting acting away from a single “aesthetic system” toward a more holistic, psychologically informed approach that later incorporated yoga-inspired methods.
Ethics and Yoga – Brett Parris
Q: How do yogic teachings balance the aim of liberation with ethical conduct in the world?
Yoga traditions often prioritize liberation and the inner transformation that reduces harmful engagement with the world, yet they can also involve practices and interpretations that influence behavior, which may align with or challenge external moral standards depending on the lineage and how one interprets the path toward enlightenment.
Ethics and Yoga – Brett Parris
Q: What does metaethics mean in the context of Yogic traditions?
Metaethics is the overarching philosophical framework that explores whether there are moral facts, how we know them, and how moral language works within a tradition, essentially situating ethical judgments within a broader metaphysical and epistemological backdrop.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ancient Futures

What is Ancient Futures about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program blends yoga philosophy with critical thinking, featuring conversations that connect ancient wisdom to modern dilemmas. Episodes frequently explore consciousness, ethics, and practical applications of spiritual ideas in everyday life, often through scholarly analysis, philosophical context, and public discourse about religion, culture, and society. Notable strengths include thoughtful moderation, a rigorous yet accessible approach to complex topics, and a track record of bringing together scholars, practitioners, and thinkers to illuminate how traditional ideas can inform contemporary personal and professional challenges. The show often stands out for its willingness to challenge assumptions and for presenting nuanced perspectiv... more

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1. Yogaland Podcast
2. J. Brown Yoga Talks
3. Let's Talk Yoga
4. The Yogic Studies Podcast
5. Deconstructing Yourself

How many episodes of Ancient Futures are there?

Ancient Futures launched 4 years ago and published 95 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ancient Futures?

Recent guests on Ancient Futures include:

1. James Fitzgerald
2. Sergei Tcherkasski
3. Justin Michelson
4. Don Lattin
5. Elizabeth Sulis Kim
6. Matthew Green
7. Tamara Cohen
8. Sam Akbar

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