Rhonda Magee - Mindfulness, Interconnection, and Justice

Rhonda Magee - Mindfulness, Interconnection, and Justice

Author: Mind & Life Institute September 24, 2021 Duration: 1:21:57
In this episode, Wendy speaks with law professor, author, and meditation teacher, Rhonda Magee. Rhonda's work has focused on bringing contemplative approaches into the practice of law, and the fight for social justice. This conversation covers many topics, including: her path to contemplative practice from roots in the American South; mindfulness in the fight for racial justice; embracing equanimity when you really want a certain outcome; contemplative approaches in law; awakening to our interconnectedness; challenging the idea of one winner/one loser (the adversarial model in law); balancing individual rights with a connected whole; restorative justice and collaborative divorce; how racism harms us all (including white folks); bias, fear and safety in the body; how dominator culture cuts us off from our bodies; racial capitalism; ColorInsight vs. color blindness; and the joy that comes from embracing our shared humanity. Full show notes and resources

At the heart of Mind & Life is a simple, profound question: what is a mind, really? This isn't just a philosophical puzzle but a practical exploration of the mental habits that define our days. The conversations hosted by the Mind & Life Institute gently dismantle the walls between disciplines, weaving together insights from neuroscience and psychology with the lived wisdom of contemplative traditions. You’ll hear dialogues that feel less like interviews and more like shared discoveries, where a philosopher and a meditation teacher might find common ground on how attention works, or where a scientist discusses the social impact of compassion training. Each episode is an invitation to look inward with curiosity, examining how practices like meditation aren't about escape but about engaging with our inner world more skillfully. This podcast operates from the conviction that understanding our own minds is foundational to addressing broader cultural and societal challenges. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the mechanics of their own thoughts and emotions and sought a deeper, evidence-informed conversation about transformation. Tune in for a thoughtful blend of rigorous inquiry and personal relevance, where ancient questions meet modern investigation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 94

Mind & Life
Podcast Episodes
Zev Schuman-Olivier – Mindfulness, Behavior Change, and Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:44
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychiatrist and contemplative researcher Zev Schuman-Olivier. Zev has been working for more than a decade to integrate mindfulness and compassion into health care, with a focus on addi…
Eve Ekman – Building Emotion Awareness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:36
In this episode, Wendy speaks with social scientist and meditation teacher Eve Ekman. Eve's work integrates contemplative practice and modern psychology to help people learn about and work with their emotions. This conve…
Dave Vago – Meditation, Neuroscience, and Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:51
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative neuroscientist Dave Vago. Dave has been studying the brain, meditation, and the self for over two decades, and has developed several models of how mindfulness might work f…
Tawni Tidwell – Between Life and Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:14
In this episode, Wendy speaks with biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medical doctor Tawni Tidwell. Tawni's research focuses on living—and dying—with greater awareness and well-being, and integrates multiple biologic…
Brian Dias – Epigenetics and Intergenerational Trauma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and trauma researcher Brian Dias. Brian is one of the pioneers in understanding how trauma can be transferred between generations. Research in this space has helped fuel…
Jyoti Mishra – Mindfulness and Climate Trauma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:02
In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and mental health researcher Jyoti Mishra. Jyoti has been investigating how mindfulness and attention training affect our brains, and can help in the context of mental he…
Simon Goldberg – The Shape of Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and contemplative researcher Simon Goldberg. Simon uses tools drawn from psychotherapy research to better understand the therapeutic processes and outcomes of mindfulness a…
Diana Chapman Walsh – Contemplative Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
In this episode, Wendy speaks with educational leader, writer, and climate activist Diana Chapman Walsh. Diana had a long and successful career in public health at Boston and Harvard University, and then became the presi…
Daniel Goleman – Beyond Emotional Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and author Daniel Goleman. Dan has been fostering and contributing to contemplative science since the very early days of the conversation between science and Buddhism, and…
Robin Nusslock – How Stress Gets Under Our Skin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:21
In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist Robin Nusslock. Robin has long been interested in the mind through both scientific and Buddhist lenses, and he trained with Richie Davidson. His work focuses on the brain…