The Road Home with Ethan Nichtern cover art

The Road Home with Ethan Nichtern

The Road Home with Ethan Nichtern

Written by: Ethan Nichtern
Listen for free

The Road Home podcast with author and teacher is Ethan Nichtern is a contemporary exploration of Buddhist teachings and conversation with thought leaders interested in Psychology, Art, Culture, and Politics through the lens of mindfulness practice. Since 2002, Ethan has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around the United States and online. He is the author of multiple books, including The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of The Buddhist Path. He is currently the head of the Yearlong Buddhist Studies Program for Dharmamoon.com. More info at EthanNichtern.com© Ethan Nichtern Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep. 184 - You're Definitely Going To Die, But Probably Not Today

    Ep. 184 - You're Definitely Going To Die, But Probably Not Today
    Oct 13 2026

    On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, I talk about classic Buddhist teachings that remind us about the basic facts of life, and go over a recent conversation I had with my 9-year-old daughter about her interest in—and aversion to—to the truth of death. Using a classic list called the Five Remembrances, we discuss how to shift our relationship to the truth of impermanence in a more positive (dare I even say, happier?) direction while keeping in mind, in the words of one Buddhist teacher, that "You can't attend your own funeral."

    (Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

    (This and all episodes available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

    More cool resources:

    Here is the link to the text of the Five Remembrances as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh.

    Check out our sponsor platform, A Mindful World!

    Thinking of joining us for the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program next year? Sign up free for this evening discussion of the program and why it might be Time to Go Deeper: Why The Dharma Matters Now. You can join in 2027 on Tuesday evenings for the first Yearlong Buddhist Studies Course or you can join the Advanced Buddhist Studies Group on Wednesdays.

    Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

    You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

    You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Ep. 183 - Conscious Parents, Conscious Daughters, Conscious Sons with Dr. Shefali

    Ep. 183 - Conscious Parents, Conscious Daughters, Conscious Sons with Dr. Shefali
    Sep 17 2026
    On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, I am joined by bestselling author, clinical psychologist and Buddhist meditator Dr. Shefali. Her work combines Western psychology with Eastern wisdom, and explores the challenges facing both parents and children (and the inner child in all of us) from a crucial perspective of authenticity and presence. This week she simultaneously released not one but two new books at once: Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons. We discussed working with fear, insecurity, perfectionism, aggression, and the longing to connect with others. We also discussed screens! Of course we discussed what to do about our kids—and our own—screens. Have a listen. (Last year, with your subscriptions via substack, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.) Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc). Dr. Shefali is a clinical psychologist, a New York Times bestselling author, and the founder of the Conscious Parenting movement, redefining how families understand selfhood, connection, and the inner life of children. She works where psychology meets consciousness, tracing the hidden forces that shape identity, relationships, and the way weinhabit the world. Trained at Columbia University, she has spent decades guiding families to move beyond patterns of control and fear toward presence and authenticity. Her work brings Western psychology and Eastern wisdom into lived practice, creating a path for children—and the adults who raise them—to know themselves fully. This week she simultaneously released two new books at once: Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons. (This and all episodes available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place). More cool resources: Check out our sponsor platform, A Mindful World! Thinking of joining us for the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program next year? Sign up free for this evening discussion of the program and why it might be Time to Go Deeper: Why The Dharma Matters Now. Also, sign up for our Fall retreat at the Garrison Institute at this link. You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Ep 182 - The Three Poisons

    Ep 182 - The Three Poisons
    Sep 8 2026

    On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, we dive into one of the deepest and most crucial teachings of Buddhist philosophy of the mind: the three poisons. These could also be called the three confused habitual responses to the present moment. In this dharma talk, we go "under the hood" of how our moment by moment experience unfolds, and how our observation of our confusion can be simplified to the exploration of three simple momentary experiences, as well as our three confused reactions to them. The episode ends with a simple and practical labelling practice which the Buddha taught to begin to watch how—when we're not paying attention— the three poisons develop out of our natural and healthy responses to the present moment. Enjoy.

    (Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

    (Episode available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

    (Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

    Show Notes and More cool resources:

    Read the book The Road Home for more insights into the mechanism of the three poisons and how we can transform our experience of them.

    For the mentioned book by John Welwood, you can find Toward A Psychology of Awakening here.

    Check out our sponsor platform, A Mindful World! A new free video course from Ethan on Metta (lovingkindness) meditation is now available at this link. Sign up for our Fall retreat at the Garrison Institute at this link. Stay tuned for registration for the 2027 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (and The Advanced Buddhist Studies Program), which begins on 26th, 2027. Registration coming very soon.

    Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

    You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

    You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet