Finding my purpose as a journalist

Finding my purpose as a journalist

Author: SGI-USA March 29, 2022 Duration: 56:24

Today we’re talking with journalist Melissa Hirsch about how her Buddhist practice helped her navigate her career journey. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who may have a dream they are pursuing but is finding the path to get there a bit more winding than they expected. Melissa explains how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her transform her childhood dream of becoming a journalist into a deep desire to use her voice for justice.


CHEAT SHEET


1:04 How Melissa started practicing Buddhism

6:46 Why she wanted to pursue journalism

9:05 Her first steps on her career path

15:03 The tension between survival and purpose

18:08 The challenges she faced in graduate school

22:35 How chanting helped her succeed in her investigative work

25:54 Overcoming social anxiety and imposter syndrome

32:40 Melissa’s favorite Buddhist quote

37:35 How her growing sense of purpose allowed her to open a new career path

45:48 What she does now

49:05 The role that the Buddhist community played in her journey

51:20 What true confidence is

53:10 Advice for anyone navigating their career


References:

  • The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, volume 6, p. 244
  • Discussions on Youth, p. 73

It’s easy to lose sight of our own strength when life gets complicated, but what if that inherent clarity and capability never actually left? Buddhability explores that very idea through the lived experiences of everyday people. Host Cassidy Bradford guides genuine conversations with a community of practicing Buddhists from SGI-USA, who share how they navigate real-world challenges. You’ll hear personal stories that touch on everything from mental resilience and physical well-being to navigating career shifts and personal relationships. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s a practical look at applying Buddhist principles to uncover a more confident and compassionate way of living. Each episode of the podcast feels like a thoughtful dialogue, focusing on how to reconnect with that inner resourcefulness-your Buddhability-amidst the stress and clutter of modern life. The discussions are grounded in the belief that enlightenment isn’t a distant goal, but a potential we can all access right now to improve our own lives and positively impact the world around us. Tune in for honest reflections and discover how this perspective can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 244

Buddhability
Podcast Episodes
Reflections on Music, Tina Turner and Overcoming Obstacles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:15
Today we’re speaking with Yuri Yamashita, of New York, about her career as a percussionist and how her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her beat the odds and her own self-doubt to pave her own pat…
Caring for People vs. The Idea of People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Today we’re talking about effective activism and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can allow us to tap into the internal resources we need to truly help other people. Our guest is Alex Boling, of Los Angeles, who honestly…
Tips and Insights: The Oneness of Life and its Environment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:11
“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life!Today’s is: the oneness of life and its environment.References:Winning Over Ourselves B…
Survival vs. Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:17
Today we’re talking about what it takes to believe that you can be happy, even when you’re facing the most difficult circumstances. Our guest is Christina Moran, of El Paso, Texas, who shares her own journey of pursuing…
What wellness really means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Today we're talking about what wellness really means from a Buddhist perspective. Our guest is Erica Stein, L.A.-based co-host of the podcast Courageous Wellness, and Buddhist practitioner. We cover everything from the p…
How I Beat the Odds: Doctor Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Today we're talking with Bobby Eppsteiner, a surgeon in Massachusetts, who shares the story of how he used his Buddhist practice to beat the odds and become a doctor, even when he was told he wouldn't make it. Key takeaw…
Tips and Insights: The Oneness of Body and Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:28
“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life! Today’s is: the oneness of body and mind.References:We Are Connected to Everyone, Ever…
How to bring main character energy to your life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
Today we're talking about what it takes to live your life as the main character or protagonist. Our guest is Nadia Ullah Morin, of Texas, who shares her journey practicing Buddhism after an unexpected series of events to…
Anxiety, Self-Trust and Psychology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:06
Today's episode is a conversation with psychologist Elizabeth Merrick about anxiety, therapy, Buddhism, and how they all connect. Sometimes it helps to examine what Buddhability looks like from different perspectives, id…