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Voices of Esalen

Esalen Institute
Esalen Institute
Trauma
Identity
Big Sur
Psychedelics
Artificial Intelligence
Femininity
Writing
Colonialism
Non-Binary Identity
Trans Rights
Psychedelic Therapy
LSD Psychotherapy
Creativity
Vulnerability
Social Justice
Mental Health
Patriarchy
Diaries
Personal Growth

"Voices of Esalen" features provocative, in-depth interviews with the dynamic leaders, teachers, and thinkers who reflect the mission of the Esalen Institute. For more about the Esalen Institute, head to esalen.org Follow Esalen on Facebook and Twitter

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes230Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Latest Episodes

Brita Ostrom is the author of the new memoir "Steeped: A Bug Sur Elixir of Sulfur and Sage," a vivid, intimate, and often wonderfully unsentimental account of her life in Big Sur and at Esalen during 1967 and 1968. Brita arrived in California during ... more

Darnell Lamont Walker is one of those people who has somehow managed to live several lives inside a single lifetime. He is a writer, filmmaker, children’s television creator, and death doula. He is also a documentary filmmaker whose work has explored... more

This interview is part of the Shulgin Foundation's Oral Histories Series. Voices of Esalen and Shulgin Foundation collaborated to bring you a wide-ranging interview with Mariavittoria Mangini, known to many as Maria, is a nurse-midwife, scholar, psyc... more

Magnus Toren has been Executive Director of the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, California, since 1993. A native of Sweden, he circumnavigated the globe delivering yachts across five oceans before settling in Big Sur. Under his leadership, ... more

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Recent Guests

Darnell Lamont Walker
Author and death doula
Esalen Institute (interview subject)
Episode: Darnell Walker: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End
Maria Mangini
Nurse midwife, psychedelic historian, early cannabis advocate
Independent researcher and practitioner; linked with Esalen lineage
Episode: Yes, Mom Took Acid: Maria Mangini on Psychedelic Elders, Hidden Histories, and the Shulgin Farm
Magnus Toren
Executive Director of Henry Miller Memorial Library
Henry Miller Memorial Library
Episode: Magnus Toren: Big Sur and The Henry Miller Memorial Library
Sravana Borkataky-Varma
Historian, educator, and social entrepreneur; scholar of Hindu traditions and goddess-centered tantra
University of Houston / Esalen Board of Trustees
Episode: The Subtle Body, Ep. 3: The Serpent’s Tale with Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen
Anya Foxen
Associate professor of religious studies; research associate at Harvard CSWR
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo / Harvard Divinity School CSWR
Episode: The Subtle Body, Ep. 3: The Serpent’s Tale with Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen
Charles Stang
Professor at Harvard Divinity School and director of the Center for the Study of World Religions
Harvard Divinity School
Episode: The Subtle Body, Ep. 2: Charles Stang and Simon Cox
Simon Cox
Scholar and martial artist, author of The Subtle Body, A Genealogy
Author of The Subtle Body, A Genealogy
Episode: The Subtle Body, Ep. 2: Charles Stang and Simon Cox
Michael Murphy
Esalen co-founder, author and longtime researcher into the subtle body
Esalen Institute
Episode: The Subtle Body, Ep. 1: Michael Murphy and Simon Cox
Joe Dolce
Writer and journalist whose work revolves around altered states and cannabis.
Episode: Joe Dolce : Modern Psychedelics

Hosts

Sam Stern
Host of Voices of Esalen
Simon Cox
Co-host and interviewer, scholar
Shira Levine
Guest host and Director of Communications and Storytelling at Esalen

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 238 ratings
  • Harkening back, yet moving forward

    Sam has provided us with a show that invites us in to hear innovative people who are creators, philosophers, free thinkers and practitioners of a variety of disciplines. The show gives us an opportunity into what Esalen Institute has offered to those who began exploring human potential from the early 70’s onward.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    banteron
    United States2 years ago
  • Fluid and diverse!

    I appreciate Sams knowledge of his guests and their expertise. His eloquent and clear deliveries of questions and prompts, make it informative and easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FreeBoxQueen
    United States2 years ago
  • From a return Esalen visitor

    I adore Esalen, and mostly enjoy this podcast. The one thing that bugs me is, every time someone talks about romantic partnerships, the show's host talks about his distaste for polyamory. It seems like a bid for further criticism of others' relationship styles. It doesn't matter to me what the hosts practices in his own life, and I wish he'd lay off of other people's orientations and personal choices, at least on a show representing such a broad-minded institution.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Carlotta Valdez
    United States3 years ago
  • No show notes?

    Just advertising future Esalen events. Enjoyed Jon Hopkins, but ugh I’d like to explore all that music without slow playing the entire hour again to get the names. Also some tact when referring to scrapping by in the 90s on $14 an hour plus tips. There’s a huge population of the US who’d be happy to receive such a raise in pay.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bean.view
    United States4 years ago
  • Hmm

    Esalen seems to be hitching their wagon to CRT ideology, which seems to me a refutation of much of the important knowledge-building that’s been done there over the decades. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Vile Goji
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the breadth of guests and the warm, thoughtful interview style.
Some episodes spark critique around personal viewpoints of guests or topics, which is noted by a portion of the audience.
The show provides accessible access to esoteric and cutting-edge topics.
The host asks poignant questions that draw out deep insights from diverse guests.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Subtle Body, Ep. 1: Michael Murphy and Simon Cox
Q: What do you see as the practical path forward for integrating scientific methods with these phenomena in a way that respects both disciplines?
We should collect diverse forms of evidence, organize and taxonomy-ize the data, and then use a scientific approach to test hypotheses, much like natural history laid groundwork for later theory. It's about building a catalog of phenomena, then seeing which patterns emerge and which explanations hold up under scrutiny.
The Subtle Body, Ep. 1: Michael Murphy and Simon Cox
Q: Mike, how do you marry Esalen's scientific inquiry with the exploration of subtle bodies that may be hard to apprehend scientifically?
It's a huge challenge, and the question itself is the core of the discussion. We need to ground our inquiries in the material world and develop models that can be tested over time, while recognizing that many experiences occur in dimensions beyond the purely physical. The aim is to build a robust, evidence-based framework without sacrificing openness to new phenomena.
Tamala Floyd : Ancestral Healing and the Parts Within
Q: What would you say changes in the folks who do this work with you?
Clients feel more self-led, less activated, and are able to engage with others more patiently, showing significant improvement in handling situations that previously upset them.
Tamala Floyd : Ancestral Healing and the Parts Within
Q: How do you help people feel safe as they begin to uncover?
Tamala creates a safe environment by showing up self-led, offering compassion, and being transparent about her own mistakes and humanity.
Tamala Floyd : Ancestral Healing and the Parts Within
Q: Did you have a personal experience that led you to want to become an IFS therapist?
Tamala Floyd decided to become an IFS therapist after reading 'The Body Keeps the Score' which highlighted IFS and resonated with her prior approaches in therapy.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Voices of Esalen

What is Voices of Esalen about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful interview series exploring consciousness, healing, and the cultural edges where science, spirituality, and esoteric traditions intersect. Across episodes, guests span academia, psychotherapy, spirituality, and media, often discussing topics like subtle energy, psychedelics, ancestral healing, and technology's role in human flourishing. The host facilitates deep-dive conversations that blend historical context with contemporary practice, frequently touching on community, open inquiry, and transformative experiences. The show stands out for its connection to a storied wellness/learning community and its willingness to entertain unconventional ideas with rigor and warmth, making it a compelling listen for seekers, practitioners, a... more

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Voices of Esalen launched 10 years ago and published 230 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 Voices of Esalen?

Recent guests on Voices of Esalen include:

1. Darnell Lamont Walker
2. Maria Mangini
3. Magnus Toren
4. Sravana Borkataky-Varma
5. Anya Foxen
6. Charles Stang
7. Simon Cox
8. Michael Murphy

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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