The Imperfect Buddha Podcast

Matthew O'Connell started The Imperfect Buddha Podcast in 2015 because he felt something was missing from the Buddhist podcast world: honest, critical engagement with how Buddhism actually functions in contemporary Western life. Now hosted through the New Books Network, the show has 125 episodes and a 4.9-star rating, though from only 8 reviewers, so it's clearly a niche audience. The show explicitly tackles anti-intellectualism and ideological capture in Western Buddhism and spirituality. Matthew interviews guests and produces think-pieces that ask uncomfortable questions about power dynamics in sanghas, the commercialization of mindfulness, and the gap between Buddhist ideals and institutional realities. It's tagged as explicit content, which tells you something about the directness of the conversations. Episodes run about an hour on average, though some stretch past two hours. Matthew's background as a life coach and counselor gives him a therapeutic ear. He listens well, asks probing follow-up questions, and isn't afraid to sit with tension or disagreement. A recent episode with Dr. Michael Uebel reimagining equanimity is a good example of the show's willingness to take traditional concepts apart and examine them honestly. This podcast fills an important gap. Most Buddhist podcasts present the tradition in a uniformly positive light. The Imperfect Buddha asks what happens when Buddhist communities cause harm, when teachers abuse power, and when spiritual ideals become obstacles to clear thinking. It's not for everyone, but for listeners who value intellectual honesty, it's essential.