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Artwork for Deconstructing Yourself

Deconstructing Yourself

Michael W. Taft
Meditation
Buddhism
Mindfulness
Awakening
Consciousness Hacking
Dark Retreat
Psychedelics
Jhana
Compassion
Non-Duality
Tantra
Tara
Vajrayana
Emotions
Tibetan Buddhism
Fear
Devotion
Vulnerability
Women Empowerment
Spiritual Growth

Dedicated to liberation in all its forms, Deconstructing Yourself is passionate about fearlessly investigating, attempting, and questioning all things to do with awakening, meditation, mindfulness, brain hacking, consciousness, neurofeedback, and more.

Your host Michael W. Taft interviews some of the most interesting thinkers, authors, and teachers around, as well as other offerings. In this hard-... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes113Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Deconstructing Yourself

Latest Episodes

Host Michael Taft talks with bestselling author Michael Pollan about his new book, A World Appears, and the enduring mystery of consciousness. They explore the hidden biases of consciousness researchers, the limits of scientific materialism, the embo... more

YouTube

Host Michael Taft and guest Joe Hudson explore the crucial difference between awakening and liberation: why insight on the cushion does not automatically free us in relationship, shame, self-talk, or emotional reactivity. Joe reframes emotional pract... more

Host Michael Taft interviews meditation teacher Wystan about teaching awakening outside a strict lineage framework, cultural translation of Buddhist practice, why awakening does not “come with a Buddhist label,” the tension between preserving traditi... more

Host Michael Taft is interviewed by Pranab Sachithanandan about Michael's Stack Model for deconstructing sensory experience, his "adapter kit" for accessing nondual Vajrayana methods without years of preliminaries, why mantra and visualization are le... more

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Recent Guests

Joe Hudson
Executive coach blending ancient contemplative traditions with neuroscience and psychology
Art of Accomplishment
Episode: A Conversation with Joe Hudson
Dr. Sravana Borkataky-Varma
Assistant professor specializing in esoteric rituals and Hindu shakta tantra traditions.
University of Houston
Episode: Chasing the Serpent’s Tail with Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen
Dr. Anya Foxen
Historian and comparativist scholar of religion.
California Polytechnic State University and Harvard
Episode: Chasing the Serpent’s Tail with Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen
Jake Orthwein
Filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York, and a Dharma student of Michael Taft.
The Waking Up App
Episode: Nonduality and the Ego with Jake Orthwein
David Godman
A scholar and author known for his extensive studies of Ramana Maharshi and his teachings.
Episode: A Conversation with David Godman
Andrew Holecek
Interdisciplinary scholar practitioner in Tibetan Buddhism, resident contemplative scholar.
Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies
Episode: Talking about Dark Retreat, with Andrew Holecek
Dr. Tucker Peck
A meditation teacher, clinical psychologist, author, and the founding director of the Open Dharma Foundation.
Open Dharma Foundation
Episode: Sanity and Sainthood, with Dr. Tucker Peck
Stephen Snyder
Buddhist teacher with extensive experience in meditation practices
Awakening Dharma
Episode: Awakening, Cessation, and Vulnerability, with Stephen Snyder
Dr. Robert Svoboda
American author and Ayurvedic doctor
Episode: Aghora, Deities, and Devotion with Dr. Robert Svoboda

Host

Michael Taft
Host of Deconstructing Yourself; longstanding interviewer known for deep, clear conversations on meditation, consciousness, and spirituality.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 902 ratings
  • Thoughtful, interesting, accessible

    I’ve been listening to Michael for many years. Thoughtful, interesting and accessible discussions of meditation, Buddhism, practice and the spiritual world. Certainly one of the very best podcasts on this subject matter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lvchlvn
    Australia5 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Michael is a total legend. Down to earth, funny and relatable, unlike many other people in the deconstruction of self sphere. Thank you and keep up the great work. Peace and love x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sethy B
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Understanding

    I don’t know of any other podcast like this!

    Really helps you to go a bit deeper into your spiritual and meditation journey!

    Look up Michael’s meditations as well

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DomWay!78
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • True, Authentic Depth

    I really enjoy this podcast because it covers one of the most fascinating aspects of the human experience (Buddhist meditation) in exquisite depth and from a place of obviously real personal experience, but it does so without any unnecessary obscurantism, mystifying religiosity, or new age hippie nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brett W. A.
    United States3 years ago
  • This podcast brought the dharma to life for me!

    I’ve listened to every episode and sometimes revisit them. An intellectual and heart-felt experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moda108
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and conversations are viewed as authentic, rigorous, and sometimes daring in exploring complex topics.
The host is praised for being down-to-earth, relatable, and anti-dogmatic.
Listeners describe the show as thoughtful, deep, and accessible, with practical meditation guidance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Conversation with Joe Hudson
Q: How long does it typically take for someone to start loving an avoided emotion through your programs?
Programs like the Great Decisions Course typically yield noticeable shifts in how people experience emotions within four to five weeks, with ongoing refinement as patterns evolve over time.
A Conversation with Joe Hudson
Q: What is the practical method you use to help someone love an emotion as it appears?
He outlines emotional inquiry, a tool that invites someone to bring wonder to somatic sensations, identify the exact feeling, and experiment with different compassionate reactions to see how the body and mind respond.
A Conversation with Joe Hudson
Q: How did you transition from long-term meditation to coaching and emotional work?
The guest explains that after deep meditation and a pivotal oneness experience, he pursued various somatic and relational approaches, realizing that awakening evolves beyond the cushion. He describes integrating therapy, the Hoffman Process, and later emotional work that centers on loving all emotional states, which became a core focus of his coaching.
Michael Taft Interviewed by Pranab
Q: What would you say is the best sort of way to see how your meditations fit in with sort of the meditation ecosystem in 2026?
Michael interprets that practitioners who seek non-dual or Vajrayana paths often struggle to find teachers outside of traditional frameworks, highlighting the uniqueness of his offerings.
Michael Taft Interviewed by Pranab
Q: What makes those kind of students meditate with you afterwards?
Michael explains that he is accustomed to working with students from those traditions and knows how to communicate effectively with them, offering a different perspective that complements their previous experiences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Deconstructing Yourself

What is Deconstructing Yourself about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently tackles awakening, meditation, and consciousness from a secular-to-traditional spectrum, frequently pairing practical meditation guidance with deep dives into Vajrayana, nondual philosophies, and neuroscience. Episodes often feature guests who are scholars, teachers, or practitioners exploring how ancient practices can translate into modern life, including devotion, heart-centered practice, and profound questions about self, ego, and perception. A standout is the host's balanced, down-to-earth interview style and willingness to bridge traditional Buddhist teachings with contemporary, secular perspectives, making nuanced topics accessible without losing depth.

Where can I find podcast stats for Deconstructing Yourself?

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How many listeners does Deconstructing Yourself get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Deconstructing Yourself?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Deconstructing Yourself:

1. Buddha at the Gas Pump
2. The Wisdom Podcast
3. Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein
4. Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield
5. Wisdom of the Masters

How many episodes of Deconstructing Yourself are there?

Deconstructing Yourself launched 9 years ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Deconstructing Yourself?

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What guests have appeared on Deconstructing Yourself?

Recent guests on Deconstructing Yourself include:

1. Joe Hudson
2. Dr. Sravana Borkataky-Varma
3. Dr. Anya Foxen
4. Jake Orthwein
5. David Godman
6. Andrew Holecek
7. Dr. Tucker Peck
8. Stephen Snyder

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