Tricycle Talks

Tricycle magazine has been the most prominent Buddhist publication in the English-speaking world for over three decades, and their podcast carries that same editorial seriousness. Hosted by editor-in-chief James Shaheen, Tricycle Talks features interviews with Buddhist teachers, scholars, writers, and artists. The guest list reads like a who's who of contemporary Buddhism. The show has 192 episodes and updates biweekly. Conversations typically run 45-70 minutes and cover everything from classical Tibetan philosophy to how Buddhist poets approach their craft. Recent episodes have featured poet Li-Young Lee discussing awe and the unknown. There's also a companion segment called "Life As It Is," co-hosted with Sharon Salzberg, that focuses specifically on integrating practice into daily life. James Shaheen is a skilled interviewer. He clearly does his homework, asking questions that go beyond surface-level and giving guests room to develop their thoughts fully. The conversations have an intellectual rigor you don't always find in spiritual podcasts, but they stay accessible. You don't need a degree in Buddhist studies to follow along. The 4.6-star rating from 349 reviews is solid, especially for a more cerebral offering. This is the podcast for listeners who read books about Buddhism, who want to understand the philosophical and cultural dimensions alongside the practical. It bridges the academic and the experiential in a way that feels distinctly Tricycle.