Episodes

  • Mindful Friendships: The Buddha’s Advice on Who to Keep Close

    Mindful Friendships: The Buddha’s Advice on Who to Keep Close
    Apr 22 2025

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    What does a good friend really look like?In this episode of What Would Buddha Do?, I answer a listener’s heartfelt question about navigating a long-term but unfulfilling friendship.Drawing on Buddhist teachings—specifically the Four Kinds of Good Friends—I explore:

    🌿 How to recognize true, supportive friendships
    🌿 The role habits and patterns play in shaping our relationships
    🌿 When (and how) to compassionately let go of connections that no longer serve growth

    We discuss how ancient wisdom can guide modern relationships toward greater freedom, connection, and authenticity. Whether you're reevaluating a friendship, a partnership, or even your professional circle, this conversation offers practical insights for your journey.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
    00:47 Listener's Question: Struggling with a Longtime Friend
    01:47 Buddha's Teachings on Friendship
    03:23 Exploring the Four Types of Friends
    06:39 The Importance of Good Friends
    08:17 Evaluating and Ending Friendships with Compassion
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    10 mins
  • Collaborative Leadership and the Wisdom of the Elephant

    Collaborative Leadership and the Wisdom of the Elephant
    Apr 8 2025

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    How do you build a collaborative team when everyone sees things differently?In this episode of What Would Buddha Do?, I answer a real-world leadership question about resolving conflict between departments.Drawing on the Buddhist parable of The Blind Men and the Elephant, I’ll explore:
    🐘 Why different perspectives create conflict—and opportunity
    🐘 How ancient teachings can help modern leaders foster collaboration
    🐘 Practical steps to help your team see the bigger picture and reduce tensionPlus, a surprising NASA story that shows why communication across silos matters more than ever.Tune in for practical leadership wisdom with a mindfulness twist.


    🌿Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
    00:41 Introducing Today's Question
    01:38 A NASA Anecdote
    02:27 Buddhist Teachings: The Blind Men and the Elephant
    05:27 Explaining the Parable
    08:45 Applying the Lesson to Leadership
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    10 mins
  • Dealing with Abuse: Buddhist Teachings on Handling Hostility

    Dealing with Abuse: Buddhist Teachings on Handling Hostility
    Mar 20 2025

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    In Episode 2 of 'What Would Buddha Do?', host Lena DiGenti addresses a heartfelt question from a listener about handling verbal and emotional abuse from a loved one with a drinking problem. Drawing from Buddhist teachings, particularly the narrative of 'The Buddha Rejects Abuse,' Lena explores how to navigate abusive situations by refusing to accept hostility, akin to not partaking in an unwanted meal. Emphasizing the importance of separating abusive actions from the person, this episode sheds light on the Buddha's profound wisdom and its relevance in modern contexts, including personal relationships affected by addiction.
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    9 mins
  • E1 Inner Peace for Outer Conflict: Lessons on Equanimity

    E1 Inner Peace for Outer Conflict: Lessons on Equanimity
    Feb 18 2025

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    What Would Buddha Do? - Finding Equanimity Amidst Family Conflict

    In the premiere episode of 'What Would Buddha Do?', host Lena DiGenti addresses a heartfelt question about dealing with an adult daughter's hostile behavior during family gatherings. Drawing on her expertise in Buddhist teachings and personal experiences, Lena offers wisdom on maintaining equanimity in the face of anger, with references to the teachings of the Buddha and contemporary Buddhist thinkers. Through vivid analogies and practical advice, she teaches how to respond with calm and compassion rather than conflict, providing specific techniques to manage emotional turmoil and foster inner peace.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

    00:47 Listener's Question: Dealing with a Difficult Daughter

    01:16 Buddhist Teachings on Anger and Equanimity

    02:58 Applying Equanimity in Real Life

    06:06 Practical Techniques for Developing Equanimity

    08:35 Conclusion: Embracing Equanimity and Compassion
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    10 mins