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The Imperfect Buddha Podcast

The Imperfect Buddha Podcast
Peter Sloterdijk
Philosophy
Cynicism
Philosophy As Practice
Spheres Trilogy
You Must Change Your Life
Modernity
Critical Theory
Communication
Friedrich Nietzsche
Longchenpa
Identity
Buddhism
Engaged Buddhism
Nyingma School Of Tibetan Buddhism
Dzogchen
Deleuze and Guattari
Activism
Wokeness
Consumer Capitalism

The Imperfect Buddha podcast has been addressing anti-intellectualism and ideological capture in western Buddhism and spirituality more broadly since its inception. It provides a space for dynamic conversations designed to bring out what is so often hidden and so often despised by critics and intellectuals engaging with contemporary forms of practice. Matthew O’Connell hosts the Imperfect Buddha p... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes124Founded3 years ago
Categories
BuddhismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Imperfect Buddha Podcast

Latest Episodes

In Against Identity, philosopher Alexander Douglas seeks an alternative wisdom. Searching the work of three thinkers – ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, Dutch Enlightenment thinker Benedict de Spinoza, and 20th Century French theorist René Girard... more

Tom joins us to discuss his book Speaking Philosophically: Communication at the Limits of Discursive Reason (Bloomsbury, 2023). Western philosophy has often claimed for itself not just a distinct sphere of knowledge, but a distinct form of communicat... more

You’re human, but are you also a Buddha? If so, which one comes first? What does it mean to be human? What is a Buddha exactly? Is our humanity lost or superseded if we become a Buddha? Such questions might interest our more philosophical listeners. more

Today’s guest is Dr Thomas Sutherland, author of the Bloomsbury title, Speaking Philosophically: Communication at the Limits of Discursive Reason (Bloombury, 2024), lecturer in digital media at the University of Southampton, and researcher into digit... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alexander Douglas
Philosopher and author of the book "Against Identity"
University of St Andrews
Episode: Alexander Douglas, "Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self" (Random House, 2025)
Thomas Sutherland
Philosopher and author, discussing his book on communication in philosophy.
Episode: Speaking Philosophically: Communication at the Limits of Discursive Reason
Dr. Thomas Sutherland
Lecturer in digital media at the University of Southampton and researcher into digital culture, the humanities, and the history of philosophy.
University of Southampton
Episode: Peter Sloterdijk Knows it All
Shodhin Geiman
Zen Abbot and author
Chicago Zen Center
Episode: 119 Alone in a World of Wounds with Zen Abbot Shodhin Geiman

Host

Matthew O'Connell
Host of discussions centered on Buddhist philosophy and contemporary spirituality, tackling topics such as anti-intellectualism and ideological capture in Western Buddhism.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Interesting but patriarchal.

    It’s mainly men talking and talking about their views on Buddhism. In one episode they dismiss a woman writer who says Buddhism has always been dominated by men. They never explain why they are so dismissive of her. Then there is the comment about “ housekeeping” , that the host doesn’t even know what housekeeping is. Maybe because someone else ( a woman) does it all for him.

    The unconscious patriarchal assumptions bordering on false superiority rankles me.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    wyode
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There are concerns regarding the perceived lack of female voices and perspectives in the conversations, leading to critiques about patriarchal assumptions.
Listeners have noted a fascinating discussion style that balances scholarly rigor with practical insights.
The content is praised for being thought-provoking, engaging listeners who appreciate critiques on contemporary spirituality.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Alexander Douglas, "Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self" (Random House, 2025)
Q: Does agency have a role within the discourse of your book?
Agency can be understood as arising from identity, influenced by external models, and embracing fluidity rather than rigidity is essential to living authentically.
Alexander Douglas, "Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self" (Random House, 2025)
Q: How practical are these philosophical ideals about identity in the real world?
Douglas acknowledges the need for a balance between forming identities for personal stability while also developing the ability to relax attachment to those identities.
Alexander Douglas, "Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self" (Random House, 2025)
Q: What led you to cultivate a stance against identity?
Douglas reflects on his upbringing in a multi-ethnic household and the challenges posed by societal pressures for self-definition, as well as profound personal experiences like his father's Alzheimer's.
Anne C. Klein on Becoming a Buddha & Being Human too
Q: How challenging or how easy is it to maintain a critical stance towards your tradition?
There are ways in which these two are in fact complementary, and there are other ways that they are in tension.
Anne C. Klein on Becoming a Buddha & Being Human too
Q: How do you balance the concerns of those two roles or identities?
There's two areas of balance, one is time, and the other is purpose and orientation towards the world.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Imperfect Buddha Podcast

What is The Imperfect Buddha Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intersections of Buddhism, spirituality, and contemporary philosophical thought, this podcast encompasses various critical discussions around anti-intellectualism and ideological influences in Western Buddhism. Each episode often features engaging dialogues with scholars and practitioners, addressing themes such as identity, communication, and activism in ethical frameworks. Notably, the host facilitates conversations that challenge conventional narratives, making it appealing for those interested in deeper philosophical explorations of spirituality and social context. Listeners can expect thoughtful critiques alongside practical insights into the spiritual landscape.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Imperfect Buddha Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Imperfect Buddha Podcast:

1. Deconstructing Yourself
2. The Wisdom Podcast
3. Tricycle Talks
4. Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein
5. The Way Out Is In

How many episodes of The Imperfect Buddha Podcast are there?

The Imperfect Buddha Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 124 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 The Imperfect Buddha Podcast?

Recent guests on The Imperfect Buddha Podcast include:

1. Alexander Douglas
2. Thomas Sutherland
3. Dr. Thomas Sutherland
4. Shodhin Geiman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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