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What Is Mind? with William Gadea

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by William Gadea

15 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Overview

Consciousness is everything you’ve ever known, and the only thing you’ll ever know. It is highly unlikely that anyone else will be able to experience exactly what you experience; likewise, you will probably never be able to sample someone else’s mind directly. Because the topic of consciousness is so personal and so complex, and because scientists have confined means to study it, the field has attracted thinkers from many spheres, beyond neuroscience: philosophers, theologians, psychologists, physicists, evolutionary theorists, computer scientists, and others. This channel’s mission is to critically appreciate this wealth of ideas. Learn more about the channel's creator at www.williamgadea.com.

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Publishing Since

10/14/2025

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Recent Episodes

March 12, 2026

Brook Ziporyn on Daoism, Buddhism, and the Birth of Zen

In this episode of What Is Mind?, philosopher and translator Brook Ziporyn joins me to explore Daoism and Buddhism in China, and how their interaction gave rise to Chan (Zen) Buddhism. We discuss the elusive philosophy of the Dao De Jing, the playful and profound stories of the Zhuangzi, and the ways Daoist ideas shaped the development of Chinese Buddhism. Along the way we explore the I Ching, the Daoist roots of Zen ideas of non-seeking, the historical reality behind Bodhidharma and the Chan patriarchs, and why the Chinese language itself may have nudged Chinese philosophy toward relational and contextual thinking. Brook Ziporyn is one of the leading Western scholars of Chinese philosophy and religion. He teaches at the University of Chicago Divinity School and is the translator of many classic Daoist texts. Find a transcript of this interview here (and subscribe to my substack while you're at it): <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://williamgadea.substack.com/p/b" target="_blank">https://williamgadea.substack.com/p/b</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVM3dnRlMnBZZURTcUlmNmVyaGVzYUJNVm9ZUXxBQ3Jtc0treXRYSm5uLUdfckNxMnJ3ZnRSb0c3Z1Y5WGUxZDZtTEJlYTJGd0taQWw5cUIwelByY0lUbmszdVQ2UzhYVWlYYkhvQUpjY0ItSEpVWWc4NEJfNWNkU0NvU3V0dVpIS3JKbWJ3d04yZHEyR3J1WGwzcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwilliamgadea.substack.com%2Fp%2Fbrook-zyporin-on-daoism-buddhism&v=eCRSs5CRHS0" target="_blank">...</a> William Gadea's book ARROW: The Power and Poison of Story <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://a.co/d/03hGqIdv" target="_blank">https://a.co/d/03hGqIdv</a> Brook Ziporyn’s translation of the Zhuangzi <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1624668550" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1624668550</a> Brook Ziporyn’s website <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://voices.uchicago.edu/ziporyn/" target="_blank">https://voices.uchicago.edu/ziporyn/</a> Subscribe for more conversations on consciousness, philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions.

March 12, 2026

What Is Modern Druidry? Kevin Pennell on Nature, Ritual, and Story

What does it mean to practice Druidry in the modern world? In this conversation, I speak with Kevin Pennell about the historical Druids, the 18th-century revival, and what contemporary Druid practice looks like today. We discuss seasonal rituals like Beltane and Samhain, the Bardic tradition, reverence for nature, and how Druidry is expressed in his daily life. If you're interested in alternative spiritual practices rooted in the natural world, this conversation is for you. Kevin's Podcast: Toward a Better Life (available on Spotify and Apple) Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://towardabetterlife.com/" target="_blank">https://towardabetterlife.com/</a> Kevin is a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), one of the leading contemporary Druid organizations: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://druidry.org/" target="_blank">https://druidry.org/</a> Book mentioned in this episode: The Book of Druidry, by Ross Nichols. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Druidry-2" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Book-Druidry-2</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmx4a1d2UGdicFM3Z2lmOEF2ZFhXSDNUdmo0Z3xBQ3Jtc0tuVHBKbHM1YjhkUFJ6c0Rrb3VqNFo4bVBsemxxNk1zd2FDRlFGSDRJVXdfLS1ORzB2NF92bjVKWjdXbVhBdUlCTTE5b1VEdldpdVVYTThxTS1NRDJfWS11LWE0Ry1mYUlFLUMtYzR3M2N2VWM0N294bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBook-Druidry-2nd-Ross-Nichols%2Fdp%2F1855381672%2F&v=ASqb0g5qGRM" target="_blank">...</a> William Gadea's Book: ARROW: The Power and Poison of Story Amazon: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Power-Po" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Power-Po</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTdHUUx1VzE2TEJrMlBkdVlhSkpZQmtZOFl1QXxBQ3Jtc0tseFB4V2hLTm5xTDE5S2FhcW10cmtmQUhvQzRYcWZRU013a1FSQWRiVHVyT05adzFDMGdvNGg0NHI0NHdNQ3NfcFRpT2V4NUlrMjZqV3NLRzNsd3BYV3lmSDUzS2hBZ0lYS204NGY2ODlSM1IzRktBRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FArrow-Power-Poison-William-Gadea%2Fdp%2FB0FD94LW5G&v=ASqb0g5qGRM" target="_blank">...</a> Subscribe for more conversations exploring consciousness, philosophy, neuroscience, and spiritual practice. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/whatismind" target="_blank">#WhatIsMind</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/druidry" target="_blank">#Druidry</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/consciousness" target="_blank">#Consciousness</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/kevinpennell" target="_blank">#KevinPennell</a>

January 14, 2026

Living With No Self: Jay L. Garfield on Buddhism, Consciousness, and the Illusion of “Me”

What if the self you think you are… doesn’t actually exist?In this conversation, philosopher Jay L. Garfield argues that the “self” is a powerful cognitive illusion – and that letting go of it can make us more ethical, more compassionate, and more free, not less. Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, David Hume, and contemporary cognitive science, Garfield explains why consciousness isn’t a “thing,” why free will doesn’t mean what we think it means, and how living without a self can actually lead to a better life.We discuss:<ul><li>Why the question “What is consciousness?” may be ill-formed</li><li>The Buddhist and Humean critique of the self</li><li>The difference between self and person</li><li>Why free will outside causation is neither real nor desirable</li><li>How meditation and practice reduce suffering</li><li>Why ethics improves when we stop seeing ourselves as isolated agents</li><li>The role of philosophy inside Buddhist practice</li></ul><hr><h3>Links</h3><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.williamgadea.com">https://www.williamgadea.com</a></li><li>Substack: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://williamgadea.substack.com">https://williamgadea.substack.com</a></li><li>Buy ARROW: The Power and Poison of Story on Amazon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://a.co/d/aPjKbcg">https://a.co/d/aPjKbcg</a></li></ul><hr>

15 total episodes available

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What is What Is Mind? with William Gadea?: Consciousness is everything you’ve ever known, and the only thing you’ll ever know. It is highly unlikely that anyone else will be able to experience exactly what you experience; likewise, you will probably never be able to sample someone else’s mind directly.

Because the topic of consciousness is so personal and so complex, and because scientists have confined means to study it, the field has attracted thinkers from many spheres, beyond neuroscience: philosophers, theologians, psychologists, physicists, evolutionary theorists, computer scientists, and others. This channel’s mission is to critically appreciate this wealth of ideas.

Learn more about the channel's creator at www.williamgadea.com.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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