Podula Rasa podcast

We discuss non-duality and the illusion of ego, true self, and non-self, with a little help from our virtual Google NotebookLM podcast friends. Are they a dream within a dream? Who is the author, who is the reader, who is the listener? Are we inside or outside the box? Is there a box? Get full access to ESCHORAMA at eschorama.substack.com/subscribe

In this brand new episode of Podula Rasa podcast, Dave and Jim discuss momentous changes in their lives. Get full access to ESCHORAMA at eschorama.substack.com/subscribe

What are vision quests and how can they help you? Dave talks about his vision quest experience in the early 1990's. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

In our September 2023 show, we share meditation updates, discuss recent music we've been diving into, and share two songs from the Thom Williams archives. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim discuss some August news and sundry tidbits: Dave's new dog, a new chapter beginning in Vermont, Tim Horton's, and the exploitation of adjunct instructors. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Jim and Dave share their reactions to Rick Rubin's new book: The Creative Act: A Way of Being. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

We celebrate Dave's recent teaching award and talk about recent reading highlights, meditation updates, music we've been listening to, and the memories they've triggered. Check out these links for content mentioned in this episode: Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being and podcast interview with Roger McGuinn, The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa, The Apple TV series Dickinson, David Lynch's video introduction to Transcendental Meditation, a feature on TM at Norwich University, Rick Beato's YouTube interview with producer Daniel Lanois, and The O'Jays "Lovetrain." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave interviews Jim about the life of Frank Ford, an experimental writer and professor who died recently at age 90. They explore creative connections and teaching/mentor relationships between Frank, his student Thom Williams, and Jim, who was a student of both. To access a complete archive of Frank's writing, go to https://archive.org/details/frankbford Young Italian Girl Resting On Her Elbow--Cezanneby Frank B. Ford Such indolence becomes the light encounter- ing her and him and us. What is the art of years but connecting light? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave reports on his recent family trip to Italy. Plus a special cameo from our biggest fan! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim discuss the ominous implications of ChatGPT, then move on to Yogis, the Upanishads, Ralph Waldo Emerson's Journals, Dave's encounter with a Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew live show, Jim's trance-inducing encounter with Shostakovitch's 4th symphony, and Dave's upcoming trip to Italy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

In February's episode, Jim and Dave provide meditation updates, discuss the Morning Pages journaling technique, Jim and Stacy's friend Tom Reed, the Police, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, and Stevie Ray Vaughn among others, more Aldus Huxley, and good reasons for quitting Twitter! We hope that you enjoy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim do a post-mortem on Season 4 and talk about recent encounters in books and music, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Aldous Huxley, Half Zaftig, Steely Dan, and Mahler. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim catch up on summer developments. They discuss Dave's new house, Jim's meditation anxiety, Aldous Huxley, Meghan O'Gieblyn, Jethro Tull, and Gene Clark. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave's daughter Leah joins us to read our astrological charts for evidence of why we became, and continue to be, friends. Read your own chart at cafe astrology. Https://Astro.cafeastrology.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

After a hiatus, Dave and Jim launch a new format for Season 4. Listen to updates on their meditation practice and current events in their lives. Bonus links: InsightTimer is a meditation app we both use and like a lot. In the episode, you'll hear discussion of Astral Travel - Theta Binaural Beats, a one hour music meditation that sent Jim to some strange new places. Try it yourself! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and his daughter Leah talk about music and life. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

The twisting, untold story of the shoulda-been-a-hit song "Locusts in October," which Jim wrote during his musical partnership with Jim Morris as the band "JOE". What does any of this have to do with Lionel Richie, Thom Williams, Brian Eno, and the legal profession? Listen and find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim talk about getting older. At what point in life do you become "old"? Can you be young and old at the same time? Does getting older always have to be a bad thing? Does it bring wisdom? Is it possible to live in the present without worrying too much about the future? Join us for a free wheeling discussion. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave, Jim & special guest / old bandmate Jim Morris discuss stories, dreams, and connections between our previous shows about Fear and Moving. Also included is the World Premier of the vintage track--"Clinging to the Noose" (words by Jim Morris, music by Jim Esch)--from the band JOE's first tape, circa early 1980's. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

In todays offering, Jim and Dave discuss the topic of fear and meander all the way to Hamlet. Dave weaves in a musical theme, a tribute to a musical giant. Listener feedback welcomed! Enjoy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

A conversation about the theme of "moving." What do we learn about ourselves, about our relation to lived experience and presence, when we move? Are we the same person on either side of the move? Dave and Jim swap stories about moves they've experienced over the years, along with song interludes pertinent to the theme. image by Michael Margulis --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave interviews Phil Charron, an early student of Thom's, only slightly later than Dave and Jim, revealing insights about Thom in his early teaching career. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

In her mid 20's, Jill Benedict quit writing. When Covid crashed into our lives, she clawed her way back to the creative path. Jill reads two stories for today's show. The first is about the shocking reawakening of the creative process. The second engages very honestly way with that looming pivot point we all must face, turning 30. You can follow Jill on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/writerwithoutacause/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim talk with musician / songwriter John Grecia, a student of Thom Williams, about their songwriting collaboration and the rediscovery of a cache of songs they wrote back in the day. We discover the revelatory power of music, how it can speak to our contemporary moment, spanning years and bridging lives. The show includes the following Grecia/Williams demos: She Danced January If Wishes Were Rain Slide Miranda --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Jim and Dave have an extended conversation about dreams, meditation, atman, Narcissus, the conservation of energy, entropy, transcendence, metaphysics, and the meaning and non-meaning of life. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave interviews filmmaker, musician and New York Times best-selling author Jeff Alulis, a former student of Thom's. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Jim and Dave push against the boundaries of nothing into something in a free wheeling conversation about music, streaming, Buddha statues, G men, Dads in wartime, new band discoveries, punk rock Sphinxes, and Dave's plan for getting Brian Eno to sue us. Prepare for a wild scenic route into nothingness and beyond! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

As we kick off 2021 and Season 2, Dave chats with his son Stasha about life and the future. The episode ends with Stasha's composition, 'Rainy Days,' which is featured on SoundCloud. Dave encourages Stasha to compose more! If you happen to be in the San Francisco area, check out the best Chinese food on the planet: San Tung! http://www.santung.net --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim check-in and reflect on season 1, recapping highlights, insights, and lessons learned. We hope this podcast has made this difficult year a little easier to endure. We know it has for us. Coming soon in 2021, season 2 of Podula Rasa...until then, season's greetings and happy new year! To show your support for what we've been doing, we ask that you make an end-of-year contribution to the Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Principal John Beltrante Marple Newtown Senior High School 120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Jim interviews Dave Forman, a student of Thom's. In the conversation, you'll hear about the influence TW had on Dave's public speaking and leadership skills, and we get the full back story on the political book Dave published (in high school!) with the help of Thom and Maury Joseph, who sold songs on-demand to raise funds for the project. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave talks with artist Jon-Michael Frank for a freewheeling conversation about TWill, the teenage heart, haiku, the secret life of fungi and trees, and more. Music interludes provided by Jim and Stacy Esch. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Today we are joined by Danielle DeCaro Buchanan, a former student and close friend of Thom Williams. Danielle shares stories of meeting Thom, reading Ralph Waldo Emerson and haiku, and how their friendship developed over the years. The creative inspiration and wisdom she drew from him is unforgettable. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave interviews Lisa D'Annunzio Jones (aka. "Libra"), a teaching colleague of TWill. Thom and Libra shared a special bond which transcended the classroom. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Catching up on listener mail we have received over the past couple months. Dave reads a Thom Williams poem, and we hear a rare clip of TWill in the classroom rapping! Plus a new Oblique Strategy from Brian Eno. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

We interview Dr. Maury Joseph, a clinical psychologist and former student of Thom Williams. Maury shares his memories, music, and thoughts on creativity learned from Thom that have been useful in his practice as a therapist. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

To celebrate the birthday of Thomas Williams, we've created a montage of moments that we have had with some of you: conversations of consequence, from thoughts, memories and collaborations with Tom. Includes portions of interviews with: Lisa D'Annunzio-Jones, Danielle Buchanan, Jeffery Alulis, Phillip Charron, Jon-Michael Frank, Jim Morris, John Grecia, Murray Joseph and Jimmy Develin. Musical Credits: A HUGE thank you to John Grecia for the liberal use of his and Tom's music, including: White Star, When You Fall, We Stayed Up All Night, Two Autumns, Turning of My Heart, Spanish Jane, Slide, She Came in Time of Meteors, Quiet Conversations, Monterey, Love is the Cure, Lightning Rod, Kingdom of One, January, If Wishes Were Rain, Hiroshima, Blue Camero, Andromeda. Happy TWill birthday to all! Dave and Jim --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

We interview Lorisa Friedman, a high school English teacher and colleague of Thom Williams at Marple Newtown. What was it like to work alongside TW? What did Lori learn from him about teaching and life? We hope this show will jog memories of the important teachers and coworkers in your own life. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim discuss the virtues of keeping a writing journal, the podcast itself as an audio journal, the connections between journaling and meditation, and how sometimes, it's OK to purge yourself of pieces from your past. Plus, the return of the segment "oblique strategies"! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Mark Christaldi joins us for a conversation about how a single high school English journal assignment made a deep and lasting impression on his journey through life. Mark also shares his thoughts on what we may really be up to regarding this podcast. Thanks Mark for the wisdom and insights. We invite you to make a donation to the Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marple Newtown High School. You can send checks to: The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Principal John Beltrante, Marple Newtown Senior High School, 120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

In this followup to the previous episode, Dave and Jim talk about finding your path, dealing with regrets, and how to be present in the moment. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Did you have influential teachers and mentors growing up? Thom Williams was that for us. He was the cool English teacher at our high school. He inspired and influenced the lives of countless students. Ten years since his passing, we reflect on his life and legacy in the first of what we hope to be a recurring feature in the podcast. We invite you to make a donation to the Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marple Newtown High School. You can send checks to: The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Principal John Beltrante Marple Newtown Senior High School 120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

A look at how our meditation practices have morphed under the shadow of the 2020 pandemic. Plus dreams, mental roller coasters, books of nothing, and oblique strategies. Strap yourself in for the ride. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave, Jim, and their bandmates Mike and Jim remember one brief shining moment of high school rock band glory as Zeus & the Druids. When a video surfaced 38 years later, how did watching the performance for the first time on youtube affect them? A reflection on memory and what happens when the past suddenly comes back to the present. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim discuss their varied experiences with meditation, what it can do for the mind and body. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim interview two friends to glean their thoughts about the show and where they look for bright and shiny things in their lives. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support

Dave and Jim lay out the vision for the podcast and talk about musician Jon Hassell, his “bright shiny things” approach to art, and how we can apply his advice to daily life. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/podula-rasa-podcast/support