Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

About Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod Living the Tao is a spiritual podcast exploring traditional Taoist teachings, spiritual cultivation, and the practice of Taoism in everyday life. Hosted by Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod, lineage holder of the Four Ascendant Tradition, the podcast offers a perspective rooted in a living Taoist tradition rather than modern interpretations of Taoist philosophy alone. Through long-form teachings, practical discussions, stories, and occasional conversations with Morgan and other guests, Living the Tao examines the relationship between ancient Taoist training and the realities of modern life. Topics include Taoist meditation, qi cultivation, karma, spiritual transformation, self-awareness, intuition, emotional resilience, traditional doctrine, and the cultivation of clarity and character. Episodes explore not only what Taoist teachings mean, but how they are understood, practiced, and applied in ordinary life. Drawing on traditional teachings and decades of practice, Mikel Steenrod examines the assumptions, habits, and perceptions that shape human experience. The result is a podcast that invites listeners to look beyond familiar explanations and consider what it means to live in harmony with the Tao. New episodes and subscriber content 🎧 Full-length episodes are released on the first Friday of each month. ⚡ Living the Tao Shorts arrive biweekly, offering shorter discussions, practical observations, and insights into Taoist life. 🔒 Living the Tao subscribers receive additional episodes, deeper doctrinal discussions, commentary, and exclusive material through Supercast. Explore more Taoist teachings Living the Tao is part of a broader collection of educational resources developed by Mikel Steenrod and the Four Ascendant Tradition, including articles, online courses, training videos, and study materials. Taoist philosophy, history, and everyday practice: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com (https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/) Qi Gong, martial arts, and traditional wellness training: https://www.watermountainvirtual.com (https://www.watermountainvirtual.com/) Premium episodes and subscriber membership: https://living-the-tao.supercast.com (https://living-the-tao.supercast.com/) Looking for older episodes? Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and some other podcast apps may display only part of the Living the Tao back catalog. For access to the complete available free-feed archive, use our direct podcast RSS feed in a compatible podcast player: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml (https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml)

Publisher

Mikel Steenrod

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Dec 2022

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

141 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   Trailer | Farming the Hybrid Self

   What if the mind you’ve spent your life using isn’t the mind you were meant to have? Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores how the social mind restricts our natural intellect, emotion, and intuition—and why we cannot simply think our way to liberation. Discover the ancient agricultural metaphor behind the hybrid self and how encounters with the Tao can help restore our natural unity. Trailer for Living the Tao Episode 1-203, Farming the Hybrid Self. Listen to the complete subscriber-exclusive episode on Supercast.

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Shorts | The Jedi, the Taoists, and the Power of the Sword

   What do the Jedi of Star Wars have in common with ancient Taoist swordmasters? In Living the Tao Shorts 2-33, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod and Morgan explore the surprising parallels between Jedi training, traditional Taoist martial arts, and the cultivation of human potential. Steenrod challenges the familiar idea that a sword should become an extension of the body. Instead, the practitioner must become an extension of the sword. True mastery requires internal harmony, where thought and action become inseparable. The conversation explores how swordsmanship reveals the condition of the mind, why traditional weapons demand more than technical proficiency, and whether human development can transcend technological advantage. From lightsabers and the Force to ancient mechanical men, discover how popular culture reflects deeper questions about Taoist cultivation, personal power, and the relationship between humanity and technology.

3. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Trailer | Local Gods and the Tale of He Bo

   For generations, young women were sacrificed to the ancient Chinese river god He Bo—until a clever magistrate challenged those claiming to speak for him. In this Halloween-season episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the legend of He Bo and the mysterious world of local gods, territorial spirits, and traditional Taoist offerings. Why did traveling Taoists seek permission to pass through spiritual territories? And why might advanced practitioners attract more attention than ordinary travelers? Discover the importance of spiritual discernment, respect, and the unseen forces of the natural world. Episode 1-202: Local Gods and the Tale of He Bo is available exclusively on Supercast.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Contact Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.