The Wisdom Podcast

Wisdom Publications has been the gold standard in Buddhist book publishing for decades. Their podcast, hosted by Daniel Aitken, essentially gives you access to the same caliber of guests who write those books. The guest list is staggering: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Robert Thurman, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, and Sharon Salzberg have all appeared. With 225 episodes updating twice a month, the format is long-form interviews that typically run about an hour. Daniel is a thoughtful host who draws out his guests with well-researched questions, and the conversations span a genuinely impressive range of Buddhist traditions. One episode might feature a Tibetan scholar discussing shamatha and vipashyana; the next might explore early Buddhist philosophy with a Theravada monk. That cross-tradition range is rare. The 4.7-star rating from 333 reviews reflects an audience that values serious scholarship presented in accessible conversation. This isn't a meditation instruction podcast. It's more like sitting in on fascinating discussions between people who have devoted their lives to understanding and practicing the dharma. If you read books from Wisdom Publications, the podcast is a natural extension. If you don't, it's an excellent introduction to the depth and diversity of Buddhist thought. The conversations consistently go beyond surface-level and reward multiple listens. It occupies a unique space between academic rigor and genuine spiritual warmth.