Today on the pod, I’m joined by Jeremy David Engles, author of Mindful Democracy, a thought-provoking and deeply timely exploration of what it means to bring awareness, compassion, and presence into our collective life.

Jeremy’s work is inspired in part by the teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh.

In this conversation, we explore:

· What democracy truly is and what it isn’t.

· We look at how our inner landscape shapes the outer systems we participate in, and why the quality of our attention may be one of the most political acts we have.

· We also dive into the distinction between mindfulness as a practice—something we do—and Buddhism as a path—something we live.

· Jeremy shares how even the smallest shifts, like cultivating an “inner smile,” can soften reactivity and open the door to deeper connection, both within ourselves and with others.

· And we touch on the beautiful and transformative practice of Metta, or loving-kindness meditation, as a way of relating to ourselves, to others, and even to those we struggle with, through a lens of compassion rather than division.

I hope you enjoyed this episode and feel inspired to share it. You can subscribe, leave a review, or watch the full episode on YouTube. Thank you so much for listening.

ABOUT:

Jeremy David Engels is the author of six books, including On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World (Parallax, 2026). On Mindful Democracy presents a bold reimagining of civic life.

Engels is a Liberal Arts Endowed Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University, co-founder of Yoga Lab, and a mindfulness and yoga teacher. You can find him in the classroom, lecture hall, on a meditation cushion, or a yoga mat, sharing his insights on how to become capable, compassionate, and engaged democratic citizens.

LINKS:

https://jeremydavidengels.com

https://www.instagram.com/jeremy_david_engels/

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• ​ The Sattva Collection - 10% off with code TheConsciousDiva
• ​ Birds & Beans Organic Coffee - 10% off with DIVA2025

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