From No Contact to Best Friends

From No Contact to Best Friends

Author: SGI-USA May 1, 2026 Duration: 50:55

If you’re not on speaking terms with someone, can that relationship ever change? Today’s guest, Min Kim Sieling, reach many of her life goals like moving to the U.S. and getting married. But she realized she wanted to strive for something deeper: her relationship with her mom. Min shares the story of how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her go from no-contact to best friends with her mom.

 
Watch today's episode on YouTube

Resources:

The Opening of the Eyes, p. 65


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: 100

Buddhability
Podcast Episodes
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems [Feb 2025] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:48
Daily life throws a lot at us. When our state of life is low, it can be easy to get wrapped up in complaint. Buddhism teaches that caring for others helps us see beyond our problems, having a more expansive view of our l…
Feeling Hopeless About the World? Listen To This [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:51
How can we maintain hope for a peaceful world? Today we hear from three college students and recent graduates about how they create hope on a daily basis and practical steps we can take to create peace.Watch today's epis…
Buddhability Short: How to Make Friends and Keep Them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking about how to build friendships that last. To ask a question ab…
An Experiment to Prove Them Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
What do you do when you’re told you’re not cut out for something? Buddhism teaches that the only person who can determine that is you. Wayne Thomas Jr., of Los Angeles, always knew he was an artist but his environment to…
I Gotta Get it Together. Like… Yesterday. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
Kaitlin Todd, of Gretna, Louisiana, was enjoying her early 20s and taking the scenic route to her dreams. Everything changed when she learned she was pregnant. That’s when she used her Buddhist practice to go for her goa…
Questioning Life’s Meaning, I Find My True Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:51
Joseph Aguilar, of Leavenworth, Kansas, set out on a personal journey to find a life philosophy that met three specific conditions. Through that process, they uncovered their true self and found the courage to undo years…
Feeling Joy Regardless of My Circumstances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:30
Can we really feel happy when we’re facing health problems? Kimberly Rios-Niño, of San Diego, shares how she came to treasure life regardless of her circumstances. We talk about her journey into parenthood and taking car…
Buddhability Short: Are goals for the new year really that important? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:51
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking about why goals and dreams are critical for our happiness. To…
Buddhability Short: How to End 2025 on a High Note [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:29
You’re almost to the finish line of 2025! Today we’re talking about how you can end the year feeling victorious and hopeful rather than dragging your feet. To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us…