Podcast
Mindrolling with Raghu Markus
Hosted by Be Here Now Network · EN
Escapades in Mind-Expansion and Cultural Misadventures. Mindrolling Podcast is about coming unstuck and the recent history of awoken awareness. It’s about the intersection of culture, consciousness and realization with Raghu Markus.
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Ep. 648 –Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life with Eric Zimmer
2w ago01:00:25Tap to summarizeAuthor and speaker Eric Zimmer shares how committing to small, sustainable habits transformed his life—moving him from addiction and homelessness to integrity and meaning.Grab Eric’s book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life.This week on Mindrolling, Eric and Raghu chat about: Burning the house to the ground: Eric’s experience with kleptomania, addiction, and homelessness Embarking on a life-long spiritual quest and journey of self-transformationHow meditation creates more space between stimulus and responseThe opportunity to make better choices when we slow down through mindfulnessWhy lasting change is so difficult Cultivating new habits of both thought and behaviorTreating yourself as if you are a friend or childBecoming a positive force in the world “Things that feel insurmountable now often can become almost second nature down the line." –Eric ZimmerAbout Eric Zimmer:Eric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcast—an award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. At 24, Eric was homeless, addicted to heroin, and facing prison. His journey from those depths sparked his lifelong inquiry into human transformation and resilience. Through his behavior coaching, workshops, and mentorship, he has guided thousands worldwide in creating sustainable habits that last—not through willpower or epiphany, but through steady change. His approach combines cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom, providing practical pathways to greater integrity and deeper meaning. His story and his work have been featured in the media, including TedX, Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal, the BBC and Brain Pickings. Check out his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. “One of the critiques of the modern mindfulness movement is that it divorces the practice from the ethical structures from which it evolved, which leads to ‘I’m just focused on me getting better and feeling better.’ While that’s an important and useful aim, it’s only half the game. The other half of the game is that it is in service of other people and being able to be a positive force in the world. We all have the ability to be a positive force in the world.” –Eric ZimmerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 647 – Women in Love with the Divine with Erica Bassani
3w ago01:04:31Tap to summarizeFrom her research into female spiritual role models, Writer Erica Bassani joins Raghu to discuss her new book which offers an exploration of faith, practice, and feminine power.Grab your copy of Women in Love with the Divine or join Erica in Awakening Softness, transformational 1 on 1 sessions for rediscovering the sacredness of daily life. This week on Mindrolling, Erica and Raghu have a conversation on: Honoring femininity and presence through the wisdom of modern female spiritual teachersErica’s inspiration from her father’s spirituality and her year-long monastery stay at 19 years old.Gratitude practice towards the divine mother and our own mothers Considering how the wisdom of women may differ from the wisdom of menThe extraordinary warmth and compassion of Garchen RinpocheMoving away from one-dimensional ways of overcoming conflictEntering into feminine gentleness and finding our power within ourselvesHow transcending the ego can actually become spiritual bypassingBecoming present when we start to doubt the existence of GodCultivating inner peace as our individual contribution to the chaos of the world “I started writing it 3 years ago from a need of meeting living women who dedicate their life to the divine. I really needed in that time of my life, I was going through personal crisis and spiritual crisis, I realized all my teachers had been men. Which, I am very grateful to them, but at that point I started really needing female role models, the examples of women who are today in this world doing the spiritual life." –Erica BassaniAbout Erica Bassani:Erica Bassani is a writer based in Italy. A graduate of the Academy of Storytelling in Turin, she spent a year living in a Theravadan Buddhist monastery at the age of 23. Since then, she has turned to female spiritual teachers from diverse traditions to help her navigate her inner journey. She created the Women Awakening Project—an initiative that highlights the wisdom of female spiritual role models and explores spiritual practice through the lens of women’s experiences—to share their wisdom and create a bridge between generations of seekers. Bassani is author of Donne che Esplorano il Divino, co-author (with Massimo Bonomelli) of Va Bene Così, and the Italian translator of The Four Noble Truths of Love by Susan Piver. “Women didn’t follow their own way of coming to power. They followed more the masculine way, the patriarchal way of getting to power. This, of course, creates a very weird shift inside. It creates suffering ultimately because of a disconnection with where actually is the source of power in us, especially as women, and possibly for men as well. The source of power can be in the heart, can be more embodied and exclusive, more aware of the different parts of the situation instead of this focused way which cuts out many other things, it's a more gentler way.” –Erica BassaniSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 646 – The DoubleBlind Guide to Psychedelics with Madison Margolin
4w ago01:04:27Tap to summarizeAuthor, journalist, and co-founder of DoubleBlind, Madison Margolin, joins Raghu to explore her latest project: creating a roadmap to tripping, microdosing, and beyond.Grab your copy of The DoubleBlind Guide to PsychedelicsIn this episode, Madison and Raghu step into the world of: Emerging theories of Ibogaine use in Parkinson's treatment Defining ‘psychedelics’ and Dr. Ben Malcom’s (aka The Spirit Pharmacist) view on psychedelic & somatic awarenessWhat the clinical world can take away from indigenous plant medicine ritualsRam Dass’s journey from psychedelic research to spirituality Spiritual seekers: from India to South America How regular practice helps us connect to deeper layers of realityFeeling beyond time and space Punctuating psychedelic experiences with spiritual practiceAltered states in the history of Judaism Psychedelics for war zones, trauma, and religious leadersAccessing your set, setting, and mental health dispositions “Doing psychedelics under the stewardship of an indigenous culture is equally legitimate to doing it in a clinical context, and it’s also legitimate to do it at a Grateful Dead show. What I really want to get at is that the way the tribes or indigenous cultures regard these medicines is through community, song, prayer, connection to nature, reciprocity, those are all values that even the clinical world can borrow and emulate as they design their trials." –Madison MargolinAbout Madison Margolin:Madison is an author and journalist who straddles California, New York, and the Israel-Palestine region, with a focus on psychedelics, cannabis, and Judaism — jokingly referring to it as “Jews & Drugs.” Her reporting also spans culture, policy, and science. At the center of her work is a sustained curiosity about how people transcend the mind to access something larger than themselves, whether through psychedelics, spirituality, meditation, art, or somatic practice. Much of her writing explores the different ways people nourish the soul. Madison is the co-founder of DoubleBlind, the print and digital magazine that covers psychedelics and their intersections with mental health, spirituality, environmental justice, and social equity. She also co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit and hosts the podcast Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network. She has worked in journalism since 2014, with bylines in outlets including Rolling Stone, Vice Media, Playboy, High Times, Tablet Magazine, and Nylon.She began her journalism career with a cannabis column at The Village Voice shortly after graduating from Columbia Journalism School. Before that, she lived in Tel Aviv, where she worked with Israel’s African refugee community. Earlier in her life, she lived at the Cloyne co-op while studying rhetoric and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley.She is a language enthusiast who speaks or dabbles in French, Russian, Yiddish, and Hebrew. Outside of work and writing, she is usually dancing, spinning a hula hoop, or practicing yoga.Madison Margolin is also the author of Exile and Ecstacy, a book on Growing Up with Ram Dass and Coming of Age in the Jewish Psychedelic Underground. Learn more about Madison’s work at madisonmargolin.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 645 – Proving a Miracle with Joshua Brown, PhD
May 800:58:59Tap to summarizeExploring the healing power of prayer and belief, Dr. Joshua Brown interweaves cognitive neuroscience with faith-based experiences.Preorder a copy of Joshua’s book, Proving a Miracle, HERE.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Joshua explore: Joshua’s fascination with the brain as a machine How a medical crisis shifted Joshua’s life path The impact of the spiritual on our physical selves Living between the worlds of neuroscience and faithHow we form beliefs and how those beliefs affect our healthThe power of community and seeking out unique experiencesJoshua’s own experience witnessing miracles Choosing hope and accepting the risk of disappointment How Artificial Intelligence is trained through predictions About Joshua Brown, PhD:Dr. Joshua W. Brown is a professor of Psychological and Brain Science at Indiana University, where he directs the Cognitive Control Lab. He also co-founded the Global Medical Research Institute. With decades of experience in computational neuroscience and over 79 peer-reviewed publications, he brings the same rigorous scientific methodology to extraordinary claims of healing that he applies to understanding the brain. His book, Proving a Miracle, will be released on May 12th of 2026. “Practically, you are what you eat, and your beliefs reflect the experiences that you have. If you want to develop more nuanced beliefs in a certain direction, you have to immerse yourself in experiences that match those beliefs.” –Joshua BrownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 644 – You Are Enough: Recognizing Our Basic Goodness with Lodro Rinzler
May 101:00:49Tap to summarizeDrawing from decades of Buddhist practice and lived experience, Lodro Rinzler helps listeners overcome self-doubt and reconnect with their inherent goodness.Grab a copy of Lodro Rinzler’s recently released book, You Are Good, You Are Enough.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Lodro explore: Keeping an open mind towards all wisdom traditions Lessons from Tibetan master Khandro RinpocheHaving gratitude for obstacles and challenges Recognizing where seeds of doubt have been planted in our livesThe insidious inner voice that tries to convince us we are not complete as isGetting in touch with our awakened natureHow doubt can actually manifest as arrogance (I know better than to trust these people, these things)Capitalism and how industries make money off the idea that we are not okayLearning to love ourselves unconditionallyGrappling with the fact that every human being has inherent, basic goodnessThe gift of offering another our undivided attentionAbout Lodro Rinzler:Lodro Rinzler is a Buddhist meditation teacher and award-winning author of 7 books, including the bestseller The Buddha Walks Into A Bar, and Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times. He is co-founder of MNDFL Meditation studios in NYC, and was named one of ’50 Innovators Shaping the Future of Wellness’ by SONIMA. Rinzler’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, CBS, and NBC. He has taught meditation for 20 years in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has spoken across the world at conferences, universities, Google, Harvard, and the White House. Lodro resides in the Hudson Valley with his wife and their four-legged family of animals. More at LodroRinzler.com “The world is on fire, it’s troubling times. I think if we start to recognize basic goodness in one another, then it will really transform the world.” –Lodro RinzlerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 643 – Sit With Me Featuring Oneika Mays
Apr 2401:00:30Tap to summarizeExploring her “No-BS” approach to yoga and mindfulness, Oneika Mays joins Raghu Markus to discuss the amazing things that happen when we sit down and get in tune with ourselves. Grab a copy of Oneika’s recently released book, Sit with MeIn this episode, Raghu and Oneika chat about: The false sense of protection that comes from building emotional walls Grief and coping with the sense that things are unfinished Finding oneself over and over again through yoga and mindfulness practice Noticing internal sensations, emotions, desires, and beyond on the yoga matOneika’s transformative work in the prison system and learning to appreciate the concept of seva (service)Looking deeply into our sense of resistance Love as a strength rather than a weaknessRam Dass’s practice of loving awareness and getting excited about the power of loveA prayer for all beings to be happy and freeHealing and restoration rather than punishment and incarceration About Oneika Mays:Oneika Mays, she/her, LMT, E-RYT, is a multi-hyphenate facilitator who leads with joy, passion, and wisdom. She is a grounded leader with lived experience that centers on mindfulness and transformation. She brings a poignant lens to building a world that is more compassionate and understanding. With deep roots and knowledge in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika delivers practical application and authentic connection through her facilitation skills. With openness and vulnerability, she facilitates the space to talk about change and embrace every part of ourselves. Check out Oneika’s recently released book, Sit with Me, and learn more about her on her website. “It’s me, inside out and connecting to the world rather than pushing back against something. It was one of the first times I felt like love wasn’t a weakness, but instead gave me strength to show up fully.” –Oneika MaysSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 642 – Cutting Through The Illusion with Shiva Baum & David Silver
Apr 1701:13:19Tap to summarizeWith loving remembrance for Raghu’s nephew, Shiva Baum, Mindrolling presents this 2014 rerelease, in which Shiva, Raghu, and David Silver explore how music shapes an era, from the wild sixties to the weird now.Please consider supporting Shiva’s family via GoFundMe. Funds raised will go toward cremation and memorial expenses, immediate living and housing costs, and ongoing support as Radha and Mohan navigate life after his passing. Learn more: Supporting Shiva Baum And His FamilyIn this episode, Raghu, Shiva, and David discuss: The magic of Bruce Springsteen and the collective heart that he createsHow changes in music signify the shift of an era How Neil Young’s song Sugar Mountain shaped Shiva’s conscious relationship to musicThe divine consciousness that was active in popular music throughout the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’sVoting for a higher consciousness in politics How the internet and being hyper-aware of global tragedies can be overwhelming Shiva and Raghu’s work with Triloka Records involves producing fusion world musicShiva’s work with musician Clark Graham and the creation of “The Way Things Were”About Shiva Baum:Aside from being Raghu’s beloved nephew, Shiva Baum was a record producer and peak performance coach. With expertise in sacred mantra chanting, Shiva was the head of music programming for the world-renowned yoga music festivals Bhakti Fest and Shakti Fest. “What’s going on with us being more connected, we’ve absolutely voluntarily given up our privacy, we see atrocities all over the world and it’s so overwhelming that almost the form of activism is to tune it out...it does set the scene for a movement to transpire, certainly brilliant art in literature, music, and cinema. I think we’re still waiting to see the explosion. I hope it comes this decade, it might not come till next decade, but something is going on.” –Shiva BaumAbout David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silver’s #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, “The Compleat Beatles” is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about history’s most famous band. The term ‘rockumentary’ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a “masterwork.” Silver’s Warner Brothers’ feature film, “No Nukes” also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 641 – Bhumi Devi: Honoring the Sacred Mother with Nina Rao
Apr 1001:01:51Tap to summarizeDiscussing the inspiration behind her upcoming album, Bhumi Devi, Nina Rao and Raghu Markus explore preserving the planet and devotion to the sacred mother.Support the pre-sale of Bhumi Devi with exclusive reward levels on Kickstarter until June 2. Click here for more information.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Nina chat about: Moderating our consumption and doing our best to heal the earthNina’s work in preserving wilderness areasWisely receiving gifts from Mother Earth while preserving uncorrupted landsThe unconditional love and presence that resonates through Maharaj-jiThe reciprocal relationship we have with the divineWhen Nina met Siddhi Ma, and seeing her as merged with Maharaj-jiThe first time Nina chanted for Siddhi MaSatsang: connecting with Maharaj-ji through communityPrayers to the Goddess in Nina’s new album, Bhumi Devi Connect with Nina Rao this Summer at the Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat! Learn more HERE.About Nina Rao:Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Together with Chandra and Genevieve Walker, Nina operates the 21 Taras Collective. You can keep up with Nina on her website or find her on Instagram @nina_rao and on Facebook @NinaRaoChant.“Even if we’ve never met Maharaj-ji, we understand presence, we understand sacred divine presence that holds love, peace, equanimity, understanding, a place where you feel free on some level. That happened to me as a child, chanting to my grandpa, living close to the earth, engaging in ritual, and creating a space where we can offer gratitude.” –Nina RaoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 640 – The Man Who Saves the World? With Patrick McCollum & Gabe Polsky
Apr 301:00:23Tap to summarizeInterfaith peace counselor Patrick McCollum and documentary filmmaker Gabe Polsky share the powerful prophecy that united the Amazon and led to making their film, The Man Who Saves the World?Click here to find screenings of The Man Who Saves the World? near you.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu speaks with his guests, Gabe and Patrick, about: The origin story behind The Man Who Saves the World? and the real-life journey that inspired the filmHow diverse Amazonian tribes are connected through shared spiritual practices and plant communicationThe meaning of the Roxa Prophecy and why the Amazon is considered the “heart of the world”Efforts to unite the Amazonian tribes to save the rainforest and its inhabitants Our universal journey to understand reality and our purpose in lifeHow psychedelics, indigenous wisdom, and other spiritual pursuits open doors to new perspectivesBursting the bubble of our constructed reality Patrick’s work as a bridge between “the people of the concrete” (modern society) and the indigenous About Patrick McCollum:Patrick McCollum is an interfaith chaplain, spiritual mentor, and peace counselor. Patrick was inspired by the Great Mother to promote a sacred universal vision that respects religious and cultural diversity and advances pluralism. As a dedicated peacemaker, Patrick brings forth a well-timed meta-narrative of universal magnitude that is alerting the world of the sacredness of all beings. Patrick is the founder and president of The McCollum Foundation for Peace, which aims to discover and implement positive, workable, and sustainable strategies that create local and global change and peace in all areas of life. “Their ancient story said that one day, thousands of years later, the Amazon would be in trouble. It would be burning, the water would be poisoned, and the indigenous people and their wisdom would be wiped out. When that happened, the creator would send the spirit of Roxa into a man or woman, and that person would unite all of the indigenous people of the Amazon and help them create a strategy to save the heart of the world.” –Patrick McCollumAbout Gabe Polsky:Gabe Polsky is a filmmaker, director, producer, and writer best known for the documentaries Red Army (2014) and In Search of Greatness (2018). Known for pushing the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, Gabe Polsky has built a reputation for uncovering stories that challenge perception, provoke thought, and entertain. His work has premiered at major international festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival. “After eight years of pursuit from these tribes, he agreed to try and unfold this prophecy. I learned about this, and I got caught up in this story as well, following Patrick down to the Amazon to try and fulfill this prophecy. It’s this wild spiritual adventure, very funny, very strange, it’s a film that has a lot of deep meaning.” –Gabe PolskySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ep. 639 – Psychedelics for Personal Development with Dr. Phil Wolfson & Gagan Levy
Mar 2701:03:26Tap to summarizeDr. Phil Wolfson offers his seasoned perspective on psychedelics, ketamine assisted therapy, and more in this expansive talk with Raghu Markus and Gagan Levy.Check out these FREE personal & clinical guidelines for use from the Ketamine Research FoundationThis week on Mindrolling, Raghu, Phil, and Gagan discuss:How psychedelics shaped Phil’s worldview in the 1960s and inspired his commitment to social justiceUsing psychedelics as tools for personal growth, healing, and transformationThe importance of set and setting when taking psychedelics recreationally, therapeutically, or ceremoniously Going beyond the ups and downs of psychedelics and finding steady peace through practiceThe persistent anti-depressant effects of Ketamine and its therapeutic promisePhil’s ongoing studies with the Ketamine Research Foundation for phantom limb pain, end-of-life care, and menstrual cycle disordersMind Manifesting: What exactly happens to the brain on psychedelics?Phil’s ‘bottom line’: positive intentions and practical guidelines for Ketamine useAbout Dr. Phil Wolfson:Phil Wolfson MD was Principal Investigator for the MAPS sponsored Phase 2, FDA approved 18-person study of MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for individuals with significant anxiety due to life threatening illnesses. His clinical practice with ketamine has informed his leadership role in the development of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Phil’s book, The Ketamine Papers, has been published by MAPS and is the seminal work in the burgeoning ketamine arena. Phil is a sixties activist, psychiatrist/psychotherapist, writer, practicing Buddhist and psychonaut who has lived in the Bay Area for 38 years. He is the author of Noe: A Father/Son Song of Love, Life, Illness and Death (2011, North Atlantic Books). He has been awarded five patents for unique herbal medicines. He is a journalist and author of numerous articles on politics, transformation, psychedelics, consciousness and spirit, and was a founding member of the Heffter Research Institute. Phil has taught in the graduate psychology programs at JFK University, CIIS and the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Phil is the founder and CEO of the Ketamine Research Foundation and is committed to making the organization a vibrant contributor to the betterment of human beings through psychedelic psychotherapy."The work needs to be thought of not as a single episode, but as a therapy. Psychedelic psychotherapy is much quicker than conventional psychotherapy for many reasons, but it needs to have a follow-up, continuation, integration, and work with someone to be effective. That's not to say ketamine on its own doesn't have value, it does." – Dr. Phil WolfsonAbout Gagan Levy:Gagan Levy is the Founder/CEO of Guru, an award-winning creative agency dedicated to serving purpose-driven movements, brands, and organizations. They work with impactful brands like Patagonia, Traditional Medicinals, Nalgene, Non-GMO, The Organic Alliance, Bring Change to Mind and many natural products brands, including EO / Everyone Products, OM Mushroom Superfoods, and REBBL. Gagan also serves as Chief Evangelist at MAHA Global, a platform focused on helping businesses adapt to stakeholder needs using data-driven reputation intelligence. As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, Gagan leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just, and prosperous for all. Gagan Levy is also a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →