
Meditative Story
Meditative Story combines extraordinary human stories with meditation prompts embedded into the storylines — all surrounded by breathtaking music. Think of it as an alternative way into a mindfulness practice, through vivid stories and cinematic music and production values. Meditative Story is an original series produced by WaitWhat and supported by our members. Our community tells us that they listen to the same episodes over and over again, and according to data provided by Apple Podcasts, Meditative Story may have the highest engagement of any podcast in the world. And that makes us proud!
Latest episodes

Sep 28, 2023 • 12min
Calming the mind and body for sleep, by Rohan Gunatillake
Discover the 'Fade' meditation technique to calm the mind and body for sleep. Learn the importance of quieting the mind and feeling supported by the bed. Relax with a guided exercise to notice sounds, feel relaxation in the body, and observe thoughts without giving them energy.

Sep 26, 2023 • 34min
You are enough, messiness and all, by Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley, author of Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance, learns to love herself as she is, messiness and all. She reflects on minimalism, self-doubt, and the process of accepting oneself. The podcast explores mindfulness, letting go, and embracing the chaos of our minds and bodies.

Sep 19, 2023 • 39min
Tamron Hall: Give yourself permission to believe
2x Emmy Award-winning TV host Tamron Hall shares her journey of believing in what's possible and the importance of taking risks. She draws inspiration from her grandfather who overcame adversity and achieved success. The podcast also explores the concept of Koans in Zen tradition and encourages listeners to embrace the beauty of trying.

7 snips
Sep 12, 2023 • 32min
Adam Grant: Practice taming your fear
Adam Grant, famed organizational psychologist, shares how a diving coach helped him outsmart fear and take the leap. The podcast explores the narrator's struggle with fear of heights and their journey to confront it through diving. It emphasizes the importance of facing fears and choosing to move past them.

Sep 5, 2023 • 39min
Martha Beck: Letting our hearts take the lead
It’s not surprising that Martha Beck, best-selling author and columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine, grew up as a high achiever. Attending Harvard University for both undergraduate and doctoral degrees, Martha spends years fighting to be the smartest person in the room and contending with serious anxiety. It’s only after a revelatory trip to Japan that Martha learns to put her rigid pursuit of intellect aside and find true happiness in the peaceful empty spaces between all things.Learn more about Martha: marthabeck.comFollow Martha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themarthabeck/Follow Martha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarthabeckIf this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to show, and we’d be so grateful.Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 29, 2023 • 38min
Let your body be the guide, by Andrea Gibson
Spoken word artist Andrea Gibson explores their struggle with chronic illness and how they learn to surrender control and embrace their physical sensations. The podcast covers topics such as playing basketball to find relief from anxiety, the liberating atmosphere of a queer club in Denver, finding solace in dancing while living with chronic Lyme disease, and embracing the body amidst a cancer recurrence.

Aug 29, 2023 • 35min
We become the places we love, by David Whyte
Poet David Whyte reflects on his struggles as a writer and the invisible help he receives. He shares a transformative encounter with a Galapagos hawk, enjoys tea with a friend's wife, and receives a touching letter after his friend's passing. Whyte discusses the deep connection he feels to the Welsh landscape and ends with gratitude for the listeners.

Aug 24, 2023 • 15min
Getting curious about how we learn, by Rohan Gunatillake
Guest Rohan Gunatillake, an expert in learning and mindfulness, discusses three unique approaches to learning: hearing a new idea, analyzing it, and putting it into practice. He emphasizes infusing our studies and mindfulness practice with a sense of play and fun, leading to deeper understanding and skill refinement.

Aug 22, 2023 • 35min
Asking for what we need, by Kathryn Nicolai
Kathryn Nicolai, creator of the Nothing Much Happens podcast, shares her journey of learning to express needs and take up space. She reflects on pretending and trying to make herself smaller and discusses the importance of choosing ourselves and asking for what we need. The podcast encourages expressing gratitude and leaving reviews to support the show.

Aug 17, 2023 • 13min
The spaces that give our lives meaning, by Rohan Gunatillake
Reflecting on the invisible layer of meaning attached to a house. Exploring the concept of attaching meaning to spaces and possessions. Exploring the significance of memories associated with personal spaces and objects.