
156 episodes

Meditative Story Meditative Story
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.5 • 2.5K Ratings
-
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!
-
Tracking the path of the sun, by Lehua Kamalu
Lehua Kamalu captains a vast, double-hulled ocean canoe crafted to the exact specifications of the seafaring vessels used by her ancestors. She and her crew are making a 2,500 mile journey between Tahiti and Hawaii, the same one original settlers of the South Pacific traversed, the same journeys historians once struggled to believe possible without today’s technology. The stakes are high and they sail the way their ancestors sailed, taking their cues from the water and wind. Lehua stays alert and patient hours on end. It’s only by being grounded in the signs that Lehua can anticipate the possibilities. And it’s only by staying present that Lehua can take in the magic of the open water — and draw from that magic to sustain herself when each journey ends, as they inevitably do.
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 at: www.meditativestory.com
Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Dallas Taylor: Soul Curriculum
Today’s episode takes you inside the intimate process behind creating a Meditative Story — and explores the musical wizardry behind each episode.
We hear from storyteller Dallas Taylor, the host of the 20,000 Hertz podcast, who gives us a peek behind the scenes in which Dallas describes his collaboration with the Meditative Story team. This exclusive excerpt comes from his companion podcast, MicroHertz.
Also, our host Rohan Gunatillake interviews our composer, Ryan Holladay, who shares how he approaches creating the music for Meditative Story.
Listen to Dallas Taylor’s episode of Meditative Story, “I focus on sensations that ground me”: https://listen.meditativestory.com/DallasTaylorMedStory
Listen to Dallas Taylor's podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz: Apple | Spotify | Web
Listen to the companion podcast MicroHertz: https://glow.fm/20k/
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 at: www.meditativestory.com
Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The magic beyond our boundaries, by Steven Ho
Today's storyteller Steven Ho grew up in a strict Vietnamese-American household where the stakes were always high. He felt an overwhelming pressure to walk the straight line set before him — a line of overachieving and excellence. As Steven grew up, he encountered places and circumstances that catapulted him into a deep curiosity and affection for the world around him. Steven began to wonder if there might be more than he could have ever expected, waiting for him outside the lines.
Listen to Steve Almond's episode of Meditative Story, "My roads diverging": http://listen.meditativestory.com/SteveAlmond_WW
Learn more about Steven: https://linktr.ee/steveioe
Find Steven on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveioe
Find Steven on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/steveioe
Find Steven on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steveioe
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 at: www.meditativestory.com
Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Heading halfway around the world to find myself, by Morgan Harper Nichols
Morgan Harper Nichols is a songwriter, poet, artist, and musician who was diagnosed with autism as an adult. Growing up, she yearns to see the wider world outside her rural home, and to embark on adventures like Bilbo Baggins. When she spends a semester studying abroad, she finds herself surrounded by the unfamiliar — and feeling rejected and lonely sometimes. But by stepping into the unknown, she begins to discover what is most important to her — and finds a new path to belonging.
Listen to Mickey Guyton's episode of Meditative Story, "Embracing what makes me different": http://listen.meditativestory.com/MickeyGuytonWW
Learn more about Morgan: https://morganharpernichols.com
Find Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganharpernichols/
Where to purchase Morgan's latest book, Peace is a Practice: https://morganharpernichols.com/preorder
Where to find Morgan's artwork: https://garden24.co
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 at: www.meditativestory.com
Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The joy of being an unwilling traveler through life, by Maya Shankar
Maya Shankar is a cognitive neuroscientist and host of the award-winning podcast A Slight Change of Plans. As a girl, she struggles with taking things too seriously: herself, the sufferings of others, the hypothetical misfortunes she imagines for the future. She turns to her father for perspective — and he takes her on a memorable walk, one that helps her understand her place in the universe (spoiler: it’s not not at the center of it). When her adult life brings a new and unexpected kind of sorrow, she turns to these lessons from her father again, to find a balance between the seriousness that comes with loving life and the wise perspective of knowing we're all just passing through.
Listen to Dr. Laurie Santos' episode of Meditative Story, "My monkey teacher": http://listen.meditativestory.com/LSantos_WW
Listen to Maya Shankar's podcast (selected as the Best Show of the Year by Apple in 2021), A Slight Change of Plans: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans
Follow Maya Shankar: https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/
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 at: www.meditativestory.com
Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Sharon Salzberg: Soul Curriculum
In this special episode, we spend more time with a storyteller who recently shared their Meditative Story with us, Sharon Salzberg. Rohan and Sharon wind their way back through Sharon’s story, exploring the key theme: Being kind, loving, patient with yourself. Together, they dive deeper into this idea, in a way that may just open up something special in you.
Did you relate to Sharon’s story? Email us at hello@meditativestory.com
Learn more about Sharon: sharonsalzberg.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customer Reviews
Easy to get started for newbie’s
I started meditating about a year ago and Meditate Story was an easy starting platform. I had tried other services but they didn’t cut it. After one year I still enjoy all the great storytelling and authors. I also like that they have 35 minute plus stories because it takes we 10-15 min to unwind and focus.
I highly recommend to everyone!
Interesting Stories
I really enjoy the variety of people who contribute their stories and journeys on Meditative Story. It’s always interesting to hear different perspectives which helps me learn and grow. Thank you!
A companion podcast that puts it in perspective
I appreciate this point of view .. always allowing all the ways… listening to Sharon Salzburg’s voice today … made me write this review.. This podcast encourages us to find our loving spot even though we are surrrounded by noise and distractions. I love the reminder … it’s all ok.