Episodes
GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days Tod shares an update on Dr. Totton’s health, discusses the show’s future, and looks back at Dr. Carl’s thoughts about the circle of life.
Published 01/28/24
Published 01/28/24
Dr. Totton and Tod discuss Erich Fromm’s 1941 exploration into man’s relationship to authority and how to find true freedom. (This is an episode from “Ten Thousand Things,” Dr. Totton and Tod’s podcast available exclusively at Patreon.com/WhatsThisTaoAllAbout.)
Published 08/06/23
This special episode is a compilation of clips from the show where Dr. Carl Totton and Tod Perry discuss the basics of Taoism. In “Taoism” they discuss the big question, “What is Tao?” and dive into the concepts of Wu-Wei, Te, and Pu. They also discuss practices such as meditation and qigong and examine one […]
Published 06/12/23
Dr. Totton and Tod have a rare interview with best-selling author Benjamin Hoff who introduced millions to Taoism with his popular books “The Tao of Pooh” and “Te of Piglet.” Now, after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Hoff is back with “The Eternal Tao te Ching: The Philosophical Masterwork of Taoism and its Relevance Today.” In […]
Published 12/22/21
Dr. Totton shares how his training in Taoist practices has helped him overcome a series of strokes. Later, he shares his new acronym for decision-making in-the-moment, “L.E.A.P.”
Published 12/19/21
Dr. Totton and Tod breeze through three more chapters of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 07/03/21
Tod shares an update of the stabbing that happened outside of the Taoist Institute. Later, Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can overcome trauma associated with COVID-19 and we break down Chapter 70 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 06/07/21
Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can live in the now instead of being focused on the past or future. Later, we discuss how sages communicate on a deeper, non-verbal level.
Published 03/29/21
Lieh Tzu wrote a thought-provoking parable on how we should view what’s normal versus abnormal. Later, a listener has questions about chakras and chapter 37 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 03/15/21
The show opens with a discussion on naturalness inspired by a chapter in “Lieh Tzu.” Later, a listener asks how one can act outside of the Tao which dovetails nicely into a discussion on Chapter 34, which is about the nature of Tao.
Published 02/10/21
The New York Times had a great article on why Chuang Tzu was one of the first philosophers to embrace disability, Dr. Totton and Tod discuss. Later, a listener has a questions about guns, and we take a deep dive into Chapter 32 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 01/04/21
Tod thinks the Tao sends mixed messages about the concept of self-discipline, so Dr. Totton is here to clear things up. Later, a voice message from a listener in Australia and a breakdown of Chapter 7 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 12/21/20
On this very special episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jane English, the co-creator of popular translations of “Tao Te Ching” and “Inner Chapters.” Here, we discuss her new book “Rainbow of Tao” and her life and work with Gia Fu-Feng. You can buy her new book “Rainbow of Tao” on her website. […]
Published 11/15/20
Dr. Totton and Tod discuss a recent New York Times article on Taoism and death. Later, we dig into Chuang Tzu’s “Man of Tao” and learn why the “greatest person is nobody.”
Published 10/18/20
A listener writes in asking about how to manage his strong emotions, so Dr. Totton responds with some solutions to help him find balance. Later, we take a look at chapter 79 of the “Tao Te Ching” which deals with reciprocity.
Published 10/05/20
Psychologist Jordan Peterson is one of today’s most popular and controversial public intellectuals, and he talks about Taoism, a lot. Here, we take a look at his views on the Tao to see if he really knows what this Tao is all about. Later, a listener wants to know how it’s possible to act out […]
Published 09/21/20
Dr. Totton and Tod go over Edward Slingerland’s tips to incorporate wu-wei into your life. Later, a listener wants to know that the Tao would look like personified, and Chaptern71 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 08/24/20
A listener writes in asking about how he can climb the corporate ladder while still living in accords with Taoist principals. Later, Dr. Totton and Tod take a look at Thomas Merton’s translation of Chuang-Tzu’s “Action vs. non-Action.”
Published 08/09/20
Dr. Totton shares some self-care techniques to keep you healthy and happy during trying times
Published 07/27/20
In a world that teaches us to see things in black and white, Taoists prefer a more ambiguous view of the world. What are the benefits? Later, a listener asks Dr. Totton’s thoughts on education, Tod talks discusses his interview with Jane Goodall, and Chapter 69 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 05/31/20
Dr. Totton shows us how to live a life where we accept and experience everything. Later, Chuang Tzu’s funeral, and Chapter 77 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 05/18/20
Tod and Dr. T go through a list of Chuang-Tzu’s most memorable, profound, and funny quotes. Also, chapter 67 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Published 04/12/20
Dr. Totton provides some practices to help people dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. We also discuss the Taoist idea of free will and break down chapter 80 of the “Tao Te Ching.” Right click to download a .doc of Dr. Totton’s”10-Day Gong.” >>
Published 04/05/20
The dynamic duo of Dr. Totton and Tod dig deep into Alan Watts’ ‘Backwards Law.’ They also take a look into chapter 65 of the “Tao Te Ching” and touch on a controversial practice known as “sunning.”
Published 02/10/20