

Meditative Story
WaitWhat
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2023 • 17min
A self-love meditation, by Rohan Gunatillake
Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate love of all kinds — whether it’s the unconditional love of a pet, the instinctual reflex to help those who are suffering, or, perhaps most important, the time we take to send love back to ourselves. Love has many dimensions, and it doesn’t always involve a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Take some time with Rohan as he guides you through a celebration of love in its many varied forms.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.

Feb 9, 2023 • 35min
The power of a simple loving presence, by Hannah Cross
Hannah Cross is a licensed clinical social worker, devoted to helping people with emotional and behavioral concerns. The way she approaches her work is rooted in a life-changing early job, one she almost didn’t take — at a youth incarceration center. Working with these young people, she comes to realize that while the textbook approach might sometimes fail, there’s a reliable healing power in a simple, loving presence. This insight helps her see her own younger self anew, and embrace her past.Listen to Rev. Monique Ortiz's Meditative Story "The heart comes out at night": https://listen.meditativestory.com/RevMoniqueOrtizPIOEach 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.

Feb 3, 2023 • 30min
Writing the main character, by Franklin Leonard
What’s the hardest part about being the main character in your own life? You’re also writing the script as you go along. And sometimes it’s hard to know when you need a scene change. Filmmaker Franklin Leonard encounters plenty of dramatic moments as he seeks to follow his creative dream. But those big moments, he comes to realize, aren’t what will change him into the person he truly wants to be. Change happens not in an explosion or a sudden shift of scenery, but slowly, in moments of reflection, and sometimes after years of pleasing others. What matters is … it happens.We are thrilled to share that Franklin Leonard's Meditative Story was awarded Best Individual Episode in the category of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at 2023’s inaugural Signal Awards.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.

Jan 26, 2023 • 33min
Finding magic in the quiet moments, by Jade Bowler
As a teenager, Jade Bowler is laser-focused on her dream of leaving home, with ambitious plans for the future. It’s only after her plans fall apart that Jade realizes big achievements aren’t the only thing that can bring her happiness. Reveling in smaller, quieter moments of casual magic shows her the beauty of everyday existence.Listen to Jacob Sartorius' Meditative Story "I take a breath. I buy myself a moment": https://listen.meditativestory.com/JacobSartoriusPIOFind Jade on all your social media platforms @UnjadedJade Unjaded Jade YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnJadedJade/featuredJade's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unjadedjade/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.

Jan 24, 2023 • 29min
Eric Whitacre: Soul Curriculum
Figuring out how to express your authentic self is a journey in discovering what lights you up. For Eric Whitacre, the choral composer and conductor, these lessons came to him through his passions for outer space, water, and music. Join Eric and Rohan in this conversation about how Eric learned to channel his energy into creating meaningful connections and finding his place in the world, and consider what instrument might be most (metaphorically) you.Eric’s masterclass series, The Beautiful Mess: https://virtualschool.ericwhitacre.com/Eric's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericwhitacre/Eric's Water Night: https://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/water-nightEric’s website: ericwhitacre.com 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.

Jan 17, 2023 • 28min
Finding meaning in the vastness of the universe, by Michelle Thaller
Michelle Thaller is an astronomer and science communicator who helped unveil the latest images from the Webb Telescope — the one that's currently sending us never-before-seen images of deep space. In her Meditative Story, she explores the significance of a single human — you — in a universe so immense that your very existence is of no consequence ... yet of every consequence.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.

Jan 12, 2023 • 34min
To swim in a sea of stars, by Eric Whitacre
Choral music composer and conductor Eric Whitacre directs choirs around the globe, but as a kid in northern Nevada, he feels like the black sheep. He doesn’t know how to channel his endless energy to create meaningful connections or find his place in the world. His remarkable experiences with outer space, multi-part harmonies, and a (literal) leap of faith teach him crucial lessons about embracing what lights him up to be his true self.Listen to Max Richter's episode of Meditative Story "Music, memory, moments": https://listen.meditativestory.com/MaxRichterPIOLearn more about Eric:Eric’s website: ericwhitacre.com Eric's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericwhitacre/Find Eric’s masterclass series, The Beautiful Mess, here: https://virtualschool.ericwhitacre.com/Listen to Water Night here: https://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/water-nightEach 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.

Jan 10, 2023 • 24min
Jai Punjabi: Soul Curriculum
Staying connected with our loved ones is not always easy, especially if, like Jai Punjabi, you live far away from home. As a founder of Wait What, the company behind Meditative Story, Jai’s work in New York means his once-a-year visit to the family home in Bombay, India, is precious time. Made even more so by the food he eats when he’s there with his family. But what makes the dishes so delicious? Join Rohan and Jai as they unpack the ways in which the spirit of culinary improvisation, and putting trust in the process, can translate from the kitchen to the rest of our lives.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.

Jan 5, 2023 • 36min
Changing the game, by Tim Shriver
Growing up in the Kennedy family, Tim Shriver sees close relatives compete at the highest level of U.S. politics and learns a very specific definition of what it means to be a winner. As a result, a fierce competitiveness finds its way into every aspect of his life. But as the years go on, Tim begins to question whether this winner-takes-all mentality is the healthiest way to live. Maybe there’s a way that competition can bring out the best in all of us, regardless of who gets the gold medal.For more on Tim:Tim’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timothyshriver/Tim’s book, Fully Alive: http://www.timothyshriver.com/fully-aliveTim’s book, The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening: https://unite.us/bookLearn more about Tim’s work with UNITE: https://unite.us/aboutLearn more about Tim’s work with Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org/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.

Dec 29, 2022 • 12min
Small victories — a celebration of the past year, by Rohan Gunatillake
What would it be like to turn your New Year’s resolutions on their head, by resolving to focus our attention in an entirely different way? That’s what Rohan is proposing with this holiday meditation designed to zoom in on the small wins from the year just past. Orienting ourselves toward small victories — whether it's making time to be with those we love, trying something entirely out of our comfort zone, or taking one small step toward a dream we’ve held dear — can help reveal the richness of life as it unfolds, and how full our cups often are. Sourcing from all the ways in which we worked hard, were more than enough, and witnessed the same in others, let’s bring that foundation into a brand new year of possibility and peace.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.


