Buddhability
The reality is, we’re already enlightened. It’s only as we face obstacles, stress and our own messiness that we start to forget it. This is a show about how to believe in yourself again, told by a community of Buddhists doing it every day, and changing the world along the way. Hosted by Cassidy Bradford, each week you’ll hear an honest conversation about real life and how to tap into your Buddhability. From relationships and dream jobs to lessons from psychology and activism, subscribe to Buddhability on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts so you never miss a...
Buddhability Short: How do I chant for ____?
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. This summer we’re answering listener questions and many of you asked how to chant about specific issues like relationships and career. Today we’re tackling that question.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
How do I chant for ___?
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3.
Can One Person Really Change the World?
Eddie Laiche, of San Luis Obispo, CA, wondered what one person could possibly do about the threat of nuclear war. Today he relies on his Buddhist practice to bring him the hope and courage necessary to take steps toward peace. We discuss the Buddhist view on sustainable change and the vital role one individual can play.
You can watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources:
“On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402.
Announcement: Ask Buddhability!
This summer, we're answering your questions about Buddhism and how to apply it to your life! For the next two weeks you can send us any questions you have about Buddhist practice or share a topic you'd like us to cover in an upcoming episode.
How to submit your question:
1. By voice: Send a voice message to our Instagram DMs @Buddhability or call us at (646) 580-8763.
2. By text: Instagram DM us @Buddhability or email us at connect@buddhability.org.
Please send your question by July 4th, 2025.
We ma...
Buddhability Short: How to Not Get Caught in the Perfectionist Trap
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about the Buddhist perspective on perfectionism.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
On the Perfectionist Bent
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 25–29.
Perfection Might be Hurting You
Running Away From Things Doesn’t Make Them Go Away
Markell Holliday II, of Atlanta, had a habit of running away when he didn’t want to deal with something. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and applying Buddhist concepts, Markell felt empowered to take full responsibility for his life. He then could do what it took to transform his relationships—especially with his father.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
A Business Expert on The Approach That Changed His Career
Today we’re talking about how we can live the most abundant life based on what is in our hearts rather than the material things we own. Sherman Edmiston III, of Brooklyn, shares his incredible journey to becoming an accomplished business man and the transformative perspectives he gained along the way.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 538, 1027.
The Teachings for Victory, vol. 1, pp. 195-96.
Placing Limits on Your Life Without Realizing It
Yurika Watanabe grew up in Guam focused on her day-to-day and supporting her family. After a Buddhist family friend encouraged her to dream big, she started to envision a different future. Today, we discuss how setting goals and dreams help us accomplish things we hadn’t imagined possible.
Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.
How to Keep Going When You Can't See The End
There is a Buddhist writing that says, “Winter always turns to spring.” But when your life is in the season of winter, sometimes if can feel unending. Today’s guest, Everton Carvalho, of Baton Rouge, tells the story of how his most challenging year was followed by his most joyful.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 192.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 538, 1027.
Buddhability Short: 3 Questions to Help You Find a Fulfilling Job
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how to find a fulfilling career.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
The Grind: Self-Mastery and Success in Business
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 76–78.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 21, 38–39.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, pa...
Finding My Voice and Trusting It
Asking for the opinions of others can be helpful but what happens when you hear their voice louder than your own? Today’s guest, Moeko Fukada Teter, of Honolulu, says it took practice to find and trust her voice. From relationships to career hurdles, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her to see her life clearly and gain self-confidence.
Opening Yourself Up to Perspectives and People
Truly hearing and seeing someone else can be tough. Especially if we think we’re in the right or know best. Fortunately, Buddhist practice helps us to open our minds with wisdom and compassion.
Today’s guest, Marko Bajkovic, of Costa Mesa, shares how seeing past his ego helped him embrace Buddhism and deepen his family relationships.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
How a Trailblazing Coach Made History
How does a student athlete and mother become a superstar coach to students and even Olympians? Karen Dennis, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how her Buddhist practice led to a decorated coaching career.
At the time of her retirement from Ohio State as the director of both Track and Field teams, she won the most Big Ten titles of any woman in Ohio State history. Prior, she coached teams at University of Nevada Las Vegas, Michigan State and the National Women’s 2000 Olympic Team. She has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for three prestigious orga...
Buddhability Short: How to Make Hard Decisions
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how to make difficult decisions and life without regret.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
Your Past Decisions Don’t Define Your Future
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 26, 362.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 128-29.
Heartbreak Made Me a Better Mathematician
Buddhism teaches that all our problems are opportunities for growth. But how could heartbreak possibly make someone better at math? Alex Scheffelin, of New York, shares how he used a moment of hopelessness to propel him to becoming a Ph.D. student at Columbia University.
Watch this week's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Why I Appreciate My College Rejections [May 2024]
With college decisions trickling in, we're airing a rerun of a May 2024 episode about college rejections.
When Ashley Park didn’t get into her first choice colleges, she was stuck in New York City balancing a jam-packed schedule. Buddhism teaches that everything moves in the direction of our happiness when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. With that in mind, Ashley knew there must be a reason and used her Buddhist practice to discover it. Today, we discuss how winning in every area of your life leads to your ultimate growth and happiness.
References:
Disc...
The Grind: Self-Mastery and Success in Business
Chip Grossman, of Santa Monica, always thought spirituality and business were opposing goals. It wasn’t until he encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism that he realized their deep ties. Today, Chip shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him develop the courage and strength to go after his goals and build unshakable happiness.
View today's episode on YouTube.
Resources:
The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, pp. 272–73
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 637.
The New Human Revolution, vol. 5, pp. 27–28
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 185-87.
Buddhability Short: It's Never Too Late
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about life milestones and feeling left behind.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
How I Beat Burnout
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 6, 121.
Each Instant Contains Incredible Possibilities
When Plans Unexpectedly Change
Life can’t always go according to plan. So, what do we do when things change? Buddhist practice helps us to be flexible and turn everything into an opportunity for deeper happiness.
Today’s guest, Camryn Snowden, of Oklahoma, navigated a big life change that helped her see that she could expand her capacity rather than compromising her dreams.
Resources:
The New Human Revolution, vol. 20, p. 89.
December 2, 2022, World Tribune, p. 7.
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems
Daily life throws a lot at us. When our state of life is low, it can be easy to get wrapped up in complaint. Buddhism teaches that caring for others helps us see beyond our problems, having a more expansive view of our lives with deeper appreciation and happiness.
Today’s guest, Daeseon Kim, of Queens, N.Y., shares how tying his dreams to a deeper purpose helped him move to the U.S. and advance in his career as a physical therapist.
Watch this episode on Youtube.
Resources:
Perseverance is a Skill
What happens when you’ve failed at your goal… more than once? Today’s guest, Ayumi Sasaki, of Detroit, had a big career goal that took two years and many attempts to accomplish. We discuss how her Buddhist practice and community helped her develop the ability to pick herself back up and keep going until she reached the finish line.
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, p. 24.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 215.
“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1027.
Buddhability Short: What Is Love?
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re learning how Buddhism can help us in relationships and love.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
On Self-Love and Relationships
References:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 60–67.
Believing in My Family Instead of Trying to Control Them
When we want others to change, we’re at the whim of our environment. One moment we’re happy with their actions and another we’re upset with something they said. Buddhism teaches us that when we work on our inner transformation our environment, including people, reflect that.
Today’s guest, Emma Grover, of Oakland, shares how developing herself helped her believe in her family.
Resources:
Living Buddhism, January 2025, p. 12.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol 1, p. 279.
Living Buddhism, January 2021, p. 14.
Buddhability Short: Why Do We Have a Daily Practice?
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking why SGI Nichiren Buddhists chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every day.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episodes Mentioned:
How Connecting with People Enhanced by Self Care
Mastering Your Daily Rhythm
References:
Discussions on Youth pp. 215, 218, 220-21.
Your Past Decisions Don’t Define Your Future
We might have a laundry list of regrets but we don’t have to let them determine our lives today or tomorrow. Today’s guest, Jesse Thompson of Columbus, Indiana, shares how he used his Buddhist practice to overcome shame and create the future he’d always dreamed of.
You can also watch the video version of today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 536, 832.
Learning From the Writings: The Hope-filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 107
July 11, 1997, World Tribune, p. 14
Discussions on Youth, p...
How a Tattoo Artist is Revitalizing Her Community
Buddhist practice empowers us to positively impact our environment. Amber Owens, of Anniston, Alabama, uncovered a deep sense of purpose in revitalizing her hometown’s art culture. Today we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps her continuously return to her “why” when the path to her dream gets rocky.
Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
Resources
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition
Discussions on Youth, p. 172
Buddhability Short: How to face the thing you've been avoiding
In today’s Short, we talk about how to do the thing we’ve said we would do for days, months or years. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview.
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 98, 262, 395.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 5, 103.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol 1, p. 279.
Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.
Rewriting The Story I Tell Myself About Who I Am and Who I Can Be
We all have narratives we tell ourselves about what is possible for our lives. Today’s guest, Jackie Alexander, of Chicago, shares how she overcame limiting beliefs about the kind of student and person she was. We discuss how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about everything from housing, to money, to graduate school led to Jackie’s newfound self-confidence.
Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
References
You Were Born to Win, p. 5
The New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 46
3 Things I Learned This Year and 2 Things I’m Bringing into Next Year
Thank you for an incredible year! Today we’re reflecting back on Buddhability’s 2024 guests and some things we’ve learned from them. We can’t wait to show you what we have planned for 2025.
Reach out to us any time at connect@buddhability.org to get connected to a local Buddhist community or ask questions.
The Courage to Live Authentically and Embrace Others
The journey of self-discovery can sometimes be long and winding. Ray Guida, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how he developed the compassion and courage to live as his authentic self. We discuss the ways chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps us face all hardships with hope and what it is like to practice SGI Nichiren Buddhism as an LGBTIQA+ person.
Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
Buddhist History Pt.3: Buddhism Today
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode is about how the Lotus Sutra and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are practiced today.
Online Articles:
About Our Community
Living The Lotus Sutra
Engaged Buddhism
Books:
Waking The Buddha
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series
Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.
Buddhist History Pt.2: Nichiren Daishonin and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode focuses on the origins of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhist philosophy and the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Online Articles:
Buddhism Reaches the Shores of Japan
The Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
Daishonin’s Life and Legacy
Books:
The Records of the Orally Transmitted Teachings Introduction
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1 and vol. 2
Reach ou...
Buddhist History Pt.1: Shakyamuni and The Lotus Sutra
With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode covers the early history of SGI Nichiren Buddhism.
Online Articles:
The Humanism of The Lotus Sutra
Buddhist Lineage
Books:
The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras
The Living Buddha
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series
The Heart of The Lotus Sutra
Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Bu...
A Psychiatrist’s Experience with Buddhism and Mental Health
Today’s guest, Bora Colak, is a psychiatrist in Brooklyn who struggled with depression for years after graduating from Harvard. When he started to practice Buddhism, something changed deep in his life. Bora shares the story of how he navigated depression, became a psychiatrist, and now uses Buddhism as the foundation for everything in his life.
Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
Basics of Buddhism
Buddhism Applied (Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo)
Embracing Buddhism
How I Stopped Tying My Self-Worth to Relationships
Self-worth is tough to cultivate when we look to others for validation. One moment we’re flying high, then one harsh word sends us spiraling. Today’s guest, Nikki Gonzalez, of Oakland, shares how her Buddhist practice helped her shift from a life consumed by the opinions of others to one based on a deeply held belief in her infinite worth. We talk about how Buddhist concepts helped her change the way she looks at love and relationships and determine to become the kind of person she would be proud to be with.
Watch the video version of t...
Buddhability Short: Refreshing Your Life
Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? In today’s Short, we talk about how to refresh yourself when you feel pulled in too many directions. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview.
Resources:
Sept. 13, 2024, World Tribune, p. 10.
May 21, 2021, World Tribune, p. 3.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 446-48.
Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.
Finding My Path as an Art Therapist
What does it look like to have a fulfilling career? While no one can tell us the best life path for us, Buddhism offers a clear framework for understanding how to live with meaning and purpose. Today’s guest, Paige Asawa of Los Angeles, shares her story of becoming an art therapist and how Buddhism helped her understand how to find a fulfilling career.
oday’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
If you’d like to get connected with your local Buddhability community, contact us at connec...
A Change in My Heart Changed My Family Relationships
Sometimes we may wish the people around us were different. Today’s guest, Brigid Perry of Boston, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo honestly about her feelings toward her family helped her make a fundamental shift in the way she views them.
Today’s episode is also available in video format here.
References:
The New Human Revolution, vol 1, pp. 173-4.
Living Buddhism, June 2024, p. 5.
The New Human Revolution, vol 30, Ch. 4.
Cheat Sheet:
02:05 Brigid joins her sister at a Buddhist meeting
07:45 H...
Orlando Bloom Opens Up About His Buddhist Practice: Staying Grounded, Facing Fears and Living Fully
We have a very special episode of Buddhability! You can listen as usual or watch the video on YouTube.
Today’s guest, Orlando Bloom, sits down to discuss how his Buddhist practice has informed everything from his breakout role as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings to how he confronts his limitations in his new show To The Edge.
Orlando shares insights he’s gathered throughout his life since encountering SGI Nichiren Buddhism at age 16. He opens up about staying grounded with his sudden rise to fame, following a Buddhist exampl...
How I Feel Hope While Living with Anxiety and Depression
Ariana Jaramillo, of Santa Cruz, started experiencing panic attacks in high school. Right around that time, she started to regularly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Today, she shares how practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism has helped her remain undefeated by anxiety and depression. We talk about what it looks like to chant daily, study Buddhism and apply it to your life.
References:
The New Human Revolution, vol 2, revised edition, p. 190.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death.
Discussions on Youth, p. 5.
If you’d like to get connected with...
Buddhability Short: How to Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
In today’s Short, we’re breaking down the Buddhist mantra Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and explaining how to chant it step-by-step. By the end of the episode, you should feel confident trying it out yourself!
Helpful Resources for Chanting:
How to Start Your Buddhist PracticeLearn How to Chant (Video)Ways to Enhance Your ChantingReach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.
