My guest today is the delightful, funny and incredibly engaging, Kelly Carlin. Kelly is the daughter of George Carlin (legendary comedian and counter-culture figure) and she's also pretty freaking rad. In addition to having just finished her autobiography, "A Carlin Home Companion," Kelly has a degree in Jungian Depth Psychology. But those are just roles right? On top of all that (or maybe underneath it all) Kelly is one of the nicest and smartest people I've had the pleasure to speak with. Her thoughts on modern culture, being a spiritual seeker, balancing the dark and the light, investigating the shadow and bringing much needed equanimity to an anything but modern world are just a few examples of what Kelly's about. Things Kelly and I discuss in this episode: The Shadow Carl Jung Joseph Campbell Twitter Spiritual Awakenings The value of intuition Horizontal connections vs Vertical connections Meditation Episode Links Kelly's book, "A Carlin Home Companion: Growing up with George" Kelly on Twitter Lucinda Williams' new album, "The Ghosts of Highway 20" Genpo Roshi and Voice Dialogue Ken Wilber Upaya Zen Center

My guest today is the wonderful and wise and extremely lovely Sharon Salzberg. We discuss a variety of Buddhist concepts including The Five Hindrances, The Paramitas and The Three Buddhist Personality Types. We also discuss anger, the mindfulness movement,her teacher Dipa Ma (who encouraged her to teach meditation in the West) and– actually, you know what? Give it a listen if you want to hear what else is in there.    Episode Links  The book Sharon is reading right now: Always Smiling by Lama Tsomo Sharon's Website Sharon's 28-Day Meditation Challenge Phil Jackson's book "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success"   And don't forget to Subscribe to Synchronicity. Also, rate and review Synchronicity on iTunes. This helps and I'm bribing people to do it (details in episode)

Back from the mini-hiatus with a bang. My guest today is musician, author and Dharma teacher, David Nichtern. David was a student of one of my favorite Buddhist teachers, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and continues to teach in the Shambhala tradition. David's also an accomplished composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He's the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Bonus fact: he's also been a lifelong (literally) friend of Christopher Guest. David and I discuss a whole lot of stuff in this episode including the concepts of idiot compassion, right livelihood, spiritual materialism, relationships and the connection between music and Buddhism. I also reference a podcast David did with comedian Pete Holmes on Pete's podcast, "You Made it Weird." You can check that out here. David also happens to be an extremely pleasant and fun guy to talk with. Some cool things were mentioned in this episode which I'm sharing below. Enjoy! Subscribe to Synchronicity here.       "Memories of Summer as a Child" on iTunes "The Profound Treasury of Ocean of Dharma" by Chogyam Trungpa and Judith Lief Books by Alberto Villoldo I also signed up for David's course, "Creativity, Spirituality and Making a Buck" which you'll hear us discuss in this episode. Check it out if it sounds interesting.

Since I'm headed on a little hiatus (aka 10 days in Jamaica) I thought it would be a nice idea to share some things I've been digging the past few days/weeks. So, that's what I did. Below you'll find links to everything in this episode. Also, I'd love to hear some things you've been loving too. Shoot me an email (email address inside the podcast).  Subscribe to Synchronicity here.   Podcasts That Are Good Rock and Roles with Danny Goldberg - Rosanna Arquette Zach Leary and Pete Holmes on It's All Happening Dustin Marshall, Duncan Trussell and Jack Kornfield on Heart Wisdom Zach Leary talks about David Bowie   Music That Is Good David Bowie - Hunky Dory (Album) Sasha and Digweed - Northern Exposure (Volume 1) - (intro music for this episode) Bob Marley - Kaya   Documentaries That Are Good Bukowski - Born Into This Making a Murderer   Shows That Are Good Man Seeking Woman Eric Andre Show Mozart in the Jungle   Shows I Don't Understand The Man in the High Castle  

My guest today is Eric Zimmer. Eric hosts a podcast called, "The One You Feed". Eric is also overflowing with practical tips on how to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. Here's some things we discuss on this episode: Starting small Accountability Awareness Community Addiction Podcasting I also say the word "briography" in the beginning which is clearly not a word. Enjoy! Intro/Outro song: David Bowie - Soul Love (Get it on iTunes) Subscribe to "The One You Feed" The One You Feed website and Twitter (@oneyoufeed) Subscribe to Synchronicity

Michael Donovan makes his triumphant return to the MPN airwaves. Michael is a photographer, artist and host of the podcast, "Walking Home." We talk about quality of life, ayahuasca, gratitude, Donald Trump and a whole lot more. Souncloud version of this episode here. Check out Michael's podcast here. Check out Michael's website here. And of course subscribe to Synchronicity here.

My guest today is a co-founder of a little thing called MindPod Network. Maybe you've heard of it? In addition to being a co-founder of MPN, Raghu is the executive director of Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation. In addition to being involved in those two organizations things he also happens to be a pretty cool guy. Raghu is a wonderful example of someone who's on the path but doesn't beat you over the head with spirituality. We talk about a lot of things including the question, "What is a Guru anyway? Subscribe to Synchronicity here.

My guest today is iOS app-developer extraordinaire, Yaron Karasik. We discuss how technology impacts consciousness, digital nomadism, Twitter and some other cool stuff (that's called a teaser). We also delve into how technology and media can enhance our daily lives in a practical and tangible way. Fun fact: Yaron is the primary developer of the Ram Dass "Be Here Now" mobile app AND the very soon to be released MPN HeartMind app. Check out Yaron's new NBA (basketball) iOS application TwentyFour here:itunes.apple.com/us/app/twenty-fo…d1058260402?mt=8 Follow Yaron on Twitter (@Greenwell) Subscribe to Synchronicity here.

My guest today is editor of a wonderful book called, "Zig Zag Zen." More to the point he's also a wonderful human being. In addition to being a wonderful human being Allan is a writer, eco-activist and all-around wise person. We talk about Buddhism, psychedelics, Burning Man and the future of the world. A lot going on in this one. Below is a brief description of "Zig Zag Zen." The use of psychedelic drugs is that dark little secret behind the popular origins of Eastern spirituality in America, but if they really open the mind in the same ways meditative experiences do, why shouldn't they be legitimated and brought out into the open? In Allan Hunt Badiner and Alex Grey's Zig Zag Zen authors, artists, priests, and scientists are brought together to discuss this question. Opinions fall on all sides. Ram Dass, for instance, discusses the benefits as well as the limitations. Rick Strassman outlines his work in the first federally funded psychedelic study in two-and-a-half decades. Rick Fields sets the historical scene. China Galland offers a wrenching personal experience. Robert Jesse introduces the varieties of entheogens, drugs that engender mystical states. Lama Surya Das tells of his early drug years. And a roundtable discussion with Ram Dass, Robert Aitken, Richard Baker, and Joan Halifax caps it all.   Subscribe to Synchronicity today. Get "Zig Zag Zen" on Amazon.

My guest today is the incredible, hilarious and all around good person, Vic Berger. I've only met Vic via the web, but you know when you can just tell, "that guy, hey, he's a good guy," well, Vic is one of those guys. In addition to being a good guy, Vic has put together and edited some of my favorite videos of the past couple of years. There are embeds below for you to check out and I encourage you do to that before listening to the podcast. Also, do yourself a favor and follow Vic on the following channels: YouTube, Twitter and Vine. Hot Tolerance on YouTube. If you want more listen to the episode ya goofus. Subscribe to Synchronicity today.