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The Garrison Institute Presents: The Common Good

The Garrison Institute Presents: The Common Good

Written by: The Garrison Institute
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About this listen

 What does it mean to live for the common good? To explore the threads that bind us all, the Garrison Institute, a non-profit organization exploring the intersection of contemplation and engaged action in the world, offers the new podcast series, The Garrison Institute Presents. Hosted by Garrison Institute co-founder, urban visionary and award-winning author Jonathan F.P. Rose, the show’s debut season, titled The Common Good, journeys into the nature of life, mind, and compassionate action. The show focuses on integrating the interdependent nature of life, the nature of the mind, and compassion in action.The Garrison Institute Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Siddhartha Mukherjee: Genetics and Empathy

    Siddhartha Mukherjee: Genetics and Empathy
    Dec 22 2025
    In this wide-ranging and personal conversation, physician, scientist, and bestselling author Siddhartha Mukherjee explores what genes, cells, and human societies reveal about our profound interdependence. Drawing from The Gene and The Song of the Cell, Mukherjee reframes biology not as a fixed blueprint, but as an improvisational system—shaped by horizontal gene transfer, environment, and the constant exchange of interdependent life forms. He weaves together Indian classical music, evolutionary science, and lived experience to argue that empathy and compassion are not optional virtues, but the foundation of truth, intelligence, and collective survival. The discussion extends to artificial intelligence, medicine, and the ethical challenge of building technologies with the capacity for empathy. We’d love to hear your thoughts about the podcast, please send us a note at podcasts@garrisoninstitute.org to let us know what you think. Produced by The Garrison Institute and The Podglomerate.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Meditation with Sharon Salzberg: Letting Go of Thought

    Meditation with Sharon Salzberg: Letting Go of Thought
    Dec 8 2025
    In this five-minute guided meditation, Sharon invites you to anchor your awareness in the breath while practicing the gentle art of letting go. When thoughts arise, whether pleasant or difficult, you're guided to recognize them as "not breath," release them, and return your attention to the present moment. You can find more meditations and contemplative resources like this at GarrisonInstitute.org, along with information about our Contemplative-Based Resilience initiative and other programs supporting those who serve our communities.
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    6 mins
  • Sharon Salzberg: Interconnection and the Tools for Real Happiness

    Sharon Salzberg: Interconnection and the Tools for Real Happiness
    Dec 1 2025
    In this rich and inspiring conversation, meditation pioneer Sharon Salzberg explores how we move from the “three S’s” of modern life—separate, scared, and selfish—to the “three C’s”: connected, compassionate, and courageous. Sharon shares practical tools from her Real Happiness framework, the annual 28-day meditation challenge, and her decades of work with caregivers, frontline workers, and trauma survivors. She and host Jonathan Rose discuss building a genuine culture of wellness, transforming empathy into sustainable compassion, and understanding our deep interdependence in everyday life. Sharon also offers a glimpse into her upcoming projects, including a children’s book and a new play based on her spiritual journey. We’d love to hear your thoughts about the podcast, please send us a note at podcasts@garrisoninstitute.org to let us know what you think. Produced by The Garrison Institute and The Podglomerate.
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    53 mins
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