https://www.axonleadership.com/friendsbetweenworlds/episode4

This episode features Dr. Ron Purser, professor of management at San Francisco State University and author of multiple books including 'McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality', and the newly released 'Mind Space: Discovering Meditation Without the Meditator'. We discuss his background and the influence of the Time Space Knowledge (TSK) vision on his life. Topics include the critique of McMindfulness, limits of the modern worldview, and Descartes' perspective on the self. The conversation explores cultural angst and the impact of mindfulness without ethics. It explores the dimensions of space and time, and how ethics arise from wonder.

Key Topics

• Critique of McMindfulness and corporate mindfulness
• Introduction to Mind Space and its principles
• The role of space, time, and ethics in perception
• The impact of the modern worldview and neoliberalism
• Practices for experiencing higher space and openness

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:12 An impenetrable book

06:01 Stealth Zen at the fringes of organizational studies

10:18 What is McMindfulness?

14:09 We've taken our modern worldview as far as it will go

16:37 We're suffering from a very cramped worldview

18:26 Lost in productivity

22:04 It's so close that it seems too good to be true

23:04 Breakout mentality and focal setting

29:41 Staying stuck in the heroic approach

32:24 What Descartes forgot

33:47 Agency

34:30 Identity is a high-maintenance activity

35:48 Overcompensation and reality projects

39:16 Polluted mind streams

41:00 Exploring Mind Space

47:08 The interplay of wonder and ethics

51:54 Encounter as a meeting of value

56:57 Space and time have your back

58:39 Closing questions

01:09:50 Outro

Learn more about Dr. Purser here: https://ronpurser.com/

Keywords: Mindfulness, McMindfulness, Mind Space, space and time, ethics, modern worldview, spirituality, management, Buddhism, societal change

Theme music is “Building Without Materials” by Aaron Vaurio Jackson: https://aaronvauriojackson.com/home

This conversation was recorded on March 5, 2026

*These show notes were generated with help from an AI

https://www.axonleadership.com/friendsbetweenworlds/episode3

In this conversation with Dr. Jeanine Canty, professor of transformative studies at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and author of 'Returning the Self to Nature', we delve into the influence of open-heartedness, the concept of the Great Turning, the ailing of Western civilization, the link between narcissism and the ecological crisis, and the transition to becoming menders of Earth-based wisdom. We explore the impact of embodying open-heartedness and the need to foster it in a divided world. Additionally, we discuss the undoing of collective narcissism and its role in healing the planet, as well as the original trauma and primal matrix in the context of ecological consciousness. The conversation covers the concept of the false self and its connection to attachment theory, exploring the impact of damaged relationships with primary caregivers and Mother Earth. It then transitions to a discussion on narcissism, self-awareness, and the importance of recognizing false realities. Finally, the conversation explores the need to establish a participatory relationship with the natural world.

In this conversation with Dr. Olivia Sagan, Director for the Centre for Applied Social Sciences at Queen Margaret University, we explore the relationship between loneliness and solitude, the societal and structural factors contributing to loneliness, and the importance of self-compassion and community. We discuss the impact of neoliberal materialism on experiences of loneliness, and the unique challenges faced by younger generations. The conversation emphasizes the need for a shift in discourse around loneliness, advocating for a perspective that recognizes the potential for personal growth and connection through mindfulness practices, creative outlets, and community engagement.

Takeaways

• Loneliness is often confused with solitude, which can be a positive experience.
• Shame and self-loathing are common feelings associated with loneliness.
• The discourse around loneliness can contribute to a 'loneliness loop' where negative feelings compound.
• Epistemic injustice occurs when individuals feel unheard and unseen, exacerbating loneliness.
• The narrative around loneliness often overlooks structural factors contributing to the issue.
• Creative outlets can help individuals cope with loneliness and foster self-discovery.
• Younger generations face unique challenges, including economic insecurity and the impact of social media.

Chapters

03:20 To be shaped by mountains

06:52 Solitude vs loneliness

09:29 Facets of loneliness

14:46 Loneliness loops and epistemic injustice

20:52 Loneliness in neoliberal society

27:39 Generational challenges

33:17 Old stuff isn't working anymore

38:30 The we-ness in the wellness

40:17 Loneliness hysteria

44:33 Loneliness and WEIRD psychology

46:35 Changing the loneliness discourse

47:01 Benefits of loneliness

51:36 Our fragmented attention

53:51 Meditation, self-compassion, and environmental conservation

Learn more about Professor Sagan at https://www.qmu.ac.uk/schools-and-divisions/psychology-sociology-and-education/psychology-sociology-and-education-staff/professor-olivia-sagan

Keywords: loneliness, solitude, mental health, public health, emotional well-being, social connection, epistemic injustice, community, self-compassion

Theme music is “Building Without Materials” by Aaron Vaurio Jackson: https://aaronvauriojackson.com/home

This conversation was recorded on November 5, 2025

*These show notes were generated with help from an AI

In this conversation with Dr. L. Ayu Saraswati, professor at the University of Hawaii and award-winning author, we discuss neoliberalism, the impact of social media on emotional well-being, and the importance of emotional contracts in creating supportive structures. We explore the concepts of docile and defiant perception, and a vigilant eco-love that emphasizes community engagement and collective well-being. The discussion culminates in the idea of feminist enchantment, which encourages individuals to reconnect with their emotions and the world around them, fostering moments of delight and care.

Takeaways

-Neoliberalism emphasizes individualism, leading to disconnection.

-Emotional contracts can provide a framework for mutual support.

-Social media can alienate us from our true emotions.

-Vigilant eco love encourages community engagement and transformation.

-Feminist enchantment allows for moments of joy amidst struggle.

-Understanding docile vs. defiant perception helps us challenge harmful ideologies.

-The self is part of a larger ecological context.

-Activism can take many forms, including local community engagement.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

07:44 Neoliberalism, social media, and the selfie self

20:11 Self-love vs. emotional contracts

26:31 Docile vs. Defiant perception

36:19 Vigilant Eco-love

42:15 Feminist enchantment and community engagement

Dr. Saraswati’s website: https://drsaraswati.com/

Keywords: neoliberalism, social media, emotional contracts, self-love, institutional support, docile perception, defiant perception, vigilant eco-love, feminist enchantment

This conversation was recorded on August 6, 2025

*These show notes were generated with help from an AI

The world feels on edge. Unsettled. Like we’re standing at a threshold between what was and what might be.

If you feel this too—if you sense that something fundamental is shifting, that the old ways aren’t working—you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why this podcast exists.

Welcome to Friends Between Worlds. This is a space for those of us who refuse to burrow deeper into separate foxholes. It’s for those who want to come above ground and figure things out together.

Here’s what I believe: separation is the root of so much of our suffering right now. I am not the first to say this – many people have been saying this, some for a very long time. I want to add my voice to that chorus.

We’ve been scattered by systems that have made us into empires of one—overly burdened, overly responsible, increasingly isolated. And when we’re divided like this, we can’t come together to solve problems. We can’t create solutions that are good for community, good for Earth, or good for the whole.

The dangers are real. We’re watching polarization intensify. Mental health decline. We’re at risk of succumbing to the environmental and social pollutions we’re creating, precisely because we’re trying to face them alone.

And there’s an old truth at work here: divide and conquer. When people are scattered and isolated, they don’t unite around what matters most.

But here’s what gives me hope: we are social creatures. Problem-solving together is what human beings have always done. It’s our nature. We really are made for times like these.

Friends Between Worlds offers two things:

First, connection. A place to feel less alone. To discover that others are grappling with the same questions and recognizing we need new ways forward.

And second, provocative thinking. Because as the saying goes, the level of thinking that created the problem can’t solve the problem. We need perspectives that challenge the status quo—cutting-edge thinkers who can help us see differently, relate differently, and imagine new possibilities together. My guests will be people who inspire me, who challenge me to think differently.

This podcast is guided by three principles from a book I published at the end of 2023 called Getting Over Ourselves: Moving beyond a culture of burnout, loneliness and narcissism. Those principles from the book are moving slowly, loving fiercely, and listening deeply.

Moving slowly means taking time to really sit with ideas, to let complexity breathe rather than rushing to conclusions.

Loving fiercely means knowing what we stand for and what we value. There will be a baseline of respect and appreciation here.

And listening deeply means genuinely trying to understand what’s being said—unpacking concepts, exploring ideas, seeking comprehension rather than ammunition for debate.

I’m looking for friends rather than enemies. That doesn’t mean naive agreement or pretending all ideas are equally valid—it means seeing the good in each other and creating space for genuine understanding.

At this time of ecological upheaval, social violence, proposals of colonizing outer space, and the emergence of technologies like artificial intelligence, we are in some ways redefining or rediscovering what it means to be human. The word “human” shares its root with “humility”—it means to be of the earth, grounded, part of the ecosystem.

Those of us who deeply value humanity need to figure out how to operate together—with each other and all of life.

So if you’re ready for these conversations, welcome. Let’s find our way forward, together.