What's This Tao All About?

Tod Perry
  • 4.9 (430)
  • BUDDHISM
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
What's This Tao All About?

What’s this Tao all About? is a lighthearted journey through the wisdom of the Tao that originally began in 2015 as a dialogue between journalist Tod Perry and Dr. Carl Totton, a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Doctor of Psychology and founder of the Taoist Institute in North Hollywood, California. In this first-of-its-kind Taoism podcast, Dr. Totton and Tod discussed the basic concepts of Taoism, the chapters of “The Tao Te Ching,” and most importantly, how you find peace and happiness in today’s world. In 2024, after Dr. Totton had some health setbacks, George Thompson joined the show to continue its goal of learning just what this Tao is all about. George is a filmmaker, tai chi teacher, and popular Taoist communicator on YouTube, where he has over 230,000 subscribers. “What’s This Tao All About?” covers essential Taoist topics such as wu-wei, te, pu, yin and yang, qi, and Chinese medicine while providing an overview of basic Taoist practices, including meditation and qi gong. You’ll also learn about the work of important Taoist philosophers such as Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lu Dong Pin, Benjamin Hoff, and Alan Watts. Taoism can be a bit confusing for the average beginner; this show is dedicated to making the philosophy's abstract concepts understandable and accessible to just about everyone.

  1. AUG 12

    Show 89 — The Inner Law

    Tod and George examine Chuang Tzu’s inner law, a chapter that discusses whether we should be directed by our inner vice or outside forces. Plus, Tod answers an interesting philosophical question from his 8-year-old son, and George shares a gratitude practice. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

  2. JUL 29

    Show 88 — Born in Tao

    Tod and George discuss Chuang Tzu’s “Man is Born in Tao” and examine how we know whether we are connected to the Tao or not. Plus, a children’s TV show is getting into Taoism and why popcorn is cannibalism. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

  3. JUL 8

    Show 87 — Chuang Tzu and liberation

    Tod and George start their investigation into the works of Chuang Tzu with Thomas Merton’s translation of his pivotal chapter, “Man of Tao.” We also meet our new co-host, George Thompson and Tod shares an update on Dr. Carl Totton’s health. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

  4. JAN 28

    Show 86 — Dr. Totton’s Final Journey

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days Tod shares an update on Dr. Totton’s health, discusses the show’s future, and looks back at Dr. Carl’s thoughts about the circle of life.

  5. 06/12/2023

    Taoism

    This special episode is a compilation of clips from the show where Dr. Carl Totton and Tod Perry discuss the basics of Taoism. In “Taoism” they discuss the big question, “What is Tao?” and dive into the concepts of Wu-Wei, Te, and Pu. They also discuss practices such as meditation and qigong and examine one […]

  6. 12/22/2021

    Show 85 — Interview: Benjamin Hoff, Author of the ‘Tao of Pooh’ and ‘Eternal Tao Te Ching’

    Dr. Totton and Tod have a rare interview with best-selling author Benjamin Hoff who introduced millions to Taoism with his popular books “The Tao of Pooh” and “Te of Piglet.” Now, after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Hoff is back with “The Eternal Tao te Ching: The Philosophical Masterwork of Taoism and its Relevance Today.” In […]

  7. 12/19/2021

    Show 84 — Returning

    Dr. Totton shares how his training in Taoist practices has helped him overcome a series of strokes. Later, he shares his new acronym for decision-making in-the-moment, “L.E.A.P.”

  8. 07/03/2021

    Show 83 — Chapters 66, 68, and 49

    Dr. Totton and Tod breeze through three more chapters of the “Tao Te Ching.”

See All (90)

4.9
out of 5
430 Ratings

About

What’s this Tao all About? is a lighthearted journey through the wisdom of the Tao that originally began in 2015 as a dialogue between journalist Tod Perry and Dr. Carl Totton, a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Doctor of Psychology and founder of the Taoist Institute in North Hollywood, California. In this first-of-its-kind Taoism podcast, Dr. Totton and Tod discussed the basic concepts of Taoism, the chapters of “The Tao Te Ching,” and most importantly, how you find peace and happiness in today’s world. In 2024, after Dr. Totton had some health setbacks, George Thompson joined the show to continue its goal of learning just what this Tao is all about. George is a filmmaker, tai chi teacher, and popular Taoist communicator on YouTube, where he has over 230,000 subscribers. “What’s This Tao All About?” covers essential Taoist topics such as wu-wei, te, pu, yin and yang, qi, and Chinese medicine while providing an overview of basic Taoist practices, including meditation and qi gong. You’ll also learn about the work of important Taoist philosophers such as Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lu Dong Pin, Benjamin Hoff, and Alan Watts. Taoism can be a bit confusing for the average beginner; this show is dedicated to making the philosophy's abstract concepts understandable and accessible to just about everyone.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada