This is a unique podcast. Patsy tells stories in an inimitable, charming style from the Taoist folk canon as well as from her fascinating childhood in old Taiwan. Charles draws out mythic themes from these stories and uses them to illuminate the present condition of humanity. Sometimes he will “decode” them; more often he will speak from their energy and images, because these stories carry profound knowledge that transcends explanation.
Patsy and Charles were married until 2006. They say, “We have completed our karma together, the only thing left is love.” Whether or not that is entirely true
In this episode, Patsy tells of her personal experiences with spirits and ghosts, and describes some of the shrines and temples in Taiwan, and why they are there. This gives a glimpse into a worldview in which these phenomena aren't "supernatural", but are an ordinary part of daily life.
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https://charleseisenstein.org/halfmoon
28 Mar 2026
E11 - Lu Dong Bin the Mischief Maker
Lu Dong Bin is one of the eight immortals, the student of the second immortal talked about in the previous episode. In one tale that is explored here, he causes mischief to a spiritual being more powerful than himself, and never fears the consequences.
f this podcast has nourished you, we invite you to send us a gift to help sustain this project through a donation via below links:https://buy.stripe.com/eVq6oA6xW5S036W4aX24003 https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FVFQMFLEZFWCNhttps://charleseisenstein.org/halfmoon
11 Mar 2026
E10 - The Eight Immortals: Han Zhongli - Stop Trying So Hard
Another one of the eight immortals is Han Zhongli, a successful war general who dies a fugitive, who must let go of everything over a long period of time. He helps people awaken challenging entrenched ideas of discipline and effort.
If this podcast has nourished you, we invite you to send us a gift to help sustain this project through a donation via below links:https://buy.stripe.com/eVq6oA6xW5S036W4aX24003
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https://charleseisenstein.org/halfmoon
24 Feb 2026
E9 - The Man with the Iron Crutch
The man with the iron crutch is one of the eight immortals in Taiwanese folklore. With an injured leg, he walks with a crutch, and carries a gourd full of medicine, and has healing abilities. This episode tells the story of his origin, and how he can heal in ways that aren't so obvious on the surface.
9 Feb 2026
E8 - Dream of the Red Chamber: The Tale of the Stone
What is it like to be a stone, cast aside, not useful for the task at hand? This episode explores these themes of rejection, and not being ready, through another traditional story Patsy brings.
25 Jan 2026
E7 - Weaving the Red Threads
There are many stories across traditional cultures that involve love between a human and an immortal being. This episode explores two such stories, one a Taiwanese folk tale told by Patsy, and the other an Irish myth told by John Eisenstein, Charles's brother.
If this podcast has nourished you, we invite you to send us a gift to help sustain this project through a donation via below links:https://buy.stripe.com/eVq6oA6xW5S036W4aX24003
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https://charleseisenstein.org/halfmoon
10 Jan 2026
E6 - The Spirits of the Well
This episode explores the story of a Taoist priest who visits a well and encounters the twelve jade ladies. This is a rich story which sparks fascinating discussion about addiction, breaking constraining patterns, and speaking the language of trickery. https://charleseisenstein.org/halfmoonIf this podcast has nourished you, we invite you to send us a gift to help sustain this project through a donation via below links:https://buy.stripe.com/eVq6oA6xW5S036W4aX24003https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FVFQMFLEZFWCN
27 Dec 2025
E5 - The Hearth Spirits: A Story of Forgiveness
This episode tells a Taiwanese folk story of the Hearth Spirits and the quiet power of forgiveness. The story opens a reflection on repentance, unconditional love, ancestral healing, and what it means to re-enter a world where unseen beings help shape our attention and sense of responsibility. This is an invitation to return to the hearth, where relationship becomes a path back into wholeness with life itself.If this podcast has nourished you, we invite you to send us a gift to help sustain this project through a donation via below links:
https://buy.stripe.com/eVq6oA6xW5S036W4aX24003https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FVFQMFLEZFWCN
11 Dec 2025
E4 - The Monkey King: Buddha's Hand
In this episode, Patsy tells a portion of the Monkey King story, in which the Monkey King challenges the Buddha. Many of the themes in this story can reflect various stages of a human life as well.
28 Nov 2025
E3 - The Monkey King: Leaving Paradise
In this episode, Patsy and Charles delve into one of many stories of the Monkey King.
13 Nov 2025
E2 - Fei Long: A Dragon is Born
This is the counterpart to the story of the Ping Ho Dragon in the first episode. In this story, the dragon is female, and so is the human being that carries forth the dragon’s spiritual cultivation in the human world.
31 Oct 2025
E1 - The Pingho Dragon
In the first episode, we explore the story of the Pingho Dragon and the youth who received his Dragon Pearl. It is from a compendium of stories about the Eight Immortals. The story’s vivid images imprint onto the mind of the listener, carrying useful information on being human that cannot be reduced to concepts.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
10 ratings
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