Buddhability

Consider any situation you’ve found yourself in where you felt like you couldn’t truly be yourself. Have you ever changed your behavior to fit in or impress others?On this episode, we’re talking with Brandon Poythress, of Dallas, who struggled with exactly that from a young age. When he started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism, he quickly discovered he was seeking approval from other people, which, in Buddhism, means you are seeking happiness outside yourself. Today we’ll cover how to flip that script and turn inward to find yourself instead.CHEAT SHEET1:21 Introduction to Brandon1:51 Why he started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a teenager 4:21 How it helped him stop seeking approval from other people7:42 What it took for him to make good friends8:38 How he applied Buddhist philosophy to his situation12:22 How he became comfortable with himself18:36 What he decided to challenge next27:34 Brandon’s vision for his 30s, 40s and 50s32:55 What uncovering your Buddhability really means37:48 Advice for anyone who feels stuck in a cycle of seeking approval from others

Today we are addressing a topic that’s universally challenging in close human relationships: How do you care for someone who struggles to care for themself? What if your belief in them is greater than their belief in themself?To address these questions, we are speaking with Katie Thornber, of Los Angeles, who bravely shares a very personal journey she went through with her late father, and how she used her Buddhist practice to support him through the toughest time of his life.This story is an incredible example of the Buddhist principle of the oneness of life and its environment.CHEAT SHEET1:09 Introduction to Katie and how she started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism4:13 A little bit about her family and their experience with the financial crisis6:05 How she decided to approach the situation 10:30 What her dad was going through11:45 Why she turned to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo at this time14:58 How she saw herself and her environment begin to change19:25 Her dad’s health challenges and what it took to get him to a doctor24:41 How he opened up to her27:03 Why change always begins within27:54 What Katie came to believe in30:56 What freedom means in Buddhism41:53 What the experience was like for Katie’s mom45:50 How this experience impacted other aspects of her life49:31 Advice to anyone who is struggling to support someone they care for51:02 Words from Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda that Katie holds on to References:Video: The oneness of life and environment explainedQuote: Discussions on Youth, p. 27

Today we're tackling social anxiety, which feels like it has become ubiquitous since the pandemic began. Social interactions seem to take more energy after being physically distanced for so long. The world feels more polarized and therefore, a bit more intimidating. And then there's the real fear of social interaction. Given all of this, the approaching holiday season and the fact that many Americans are still adjusting to in-person school and work, we reached out to a few Buddhist teenagers to ask for their advice on how to deal with social anxiety.CHEAT SHEET0:55 What is social anxiety?3:18 Meet Nico, Kimmy and Sudha3:57 How they started practicing Buddhism9:14 Their favorite Buddhist concepts11:34 What it’s been like to go back to school 19:30 Their best advice for social anxietyReferences: ADAA: The COVID-19 Cycle: Social Anxiety and Withrdrawal in School-Aged KidsADAA: Social Anxiety During COVID-19Buddhability: Why Buddhist Don’t Sweat MistakesGirls Night In: Questions to Ask a New Person

Today we speak with Los Angeles-based actor Luca Manganaro, who shares his intertwined journey with acting and Buddhism and the lessons he learned along the way. Key takeaway: what you do, especially if you’re currently pursuing a big dream or goal that seems far away, isn’t who you are. Who you are is based on what you practice every day, how you show up in relationships, how you treat the people around you and what you base your self-worth on.CHEAT SHEET1:46 How Luca started practicing Buddhism6:03 How chanting helped him transform a lifelong health challenge13:27 How he decided to pursue acting in New York21:05 What Buddhism taught him about dealing with the ups and downs of the business30:25 Why he believes in having a Buddhist mentor36:02 How he developed a foundation for his life through community42:41 What caring for other people has to do with our own growth51:27 Advice for anyone new to Buddhism who wants to feel fulfilled Mentioned references:A Buddhability Guide to Self-Love

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses trauma and attempted suicide.Today’s episode is about mental health. Our guest is Tanushree Salvi of Boise, Idaho, who started her practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism when she came to the U.S. for school and was introduced to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo by a college roommate. Tanushree shares the story of how she was able to take the steps to take care of her own mental health through a combination of professional support and her Buddhist practice, as well as how she learned to value her own life and unique beauty.CHEAT SHEET1:02 Introduction to Tanushree2:18 How she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo6:18 The first changes she witnessed in herself13:09 Tanushree’s struggle with her mental health15:10 The steps she took after being hospitalized17:28 How she found the right therapist20:01 How her inner determination to heal impacted her environment 21:54 What “kosen-rufu” means and how it helps us give meaning to our struggles27:18 How she used Buddhism and therapy to heal32:32 What it takes to have compassion for yourself34:49 How she’s doing now41:28 Her favorite Buddhist concept (see: The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, pg. 125-6)43:46 Advice for anyone currently struggling with their mental health45:40 A closing quote from Ikeda References mentioned:Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems Podcast: A Buddhist Perspective on Mental HealthBuddhability Community Talk: A Conversation on Mental and Spiritual Well-being

Today we’re talking about college: how hard it can be to decide where to go and what to pursue, and how to find your purpose while there.Our guest is Josef Gaudiesus, a football coach and high school teacher in Texas, who shares his own journey of getting into college and how beginning his Buddhist practice while there helped him find confidence, a winning attitude and a sense of purpose. CHEAT SHEET1:32 How Josef got introduced to Buddhism2:17 How he decided to become a teacher and football coach5:25 What his own struggles in high school and college were12:34 The goals he set when he starting chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in college24:06 How he accomplished all three goals26:45 What it means to win in Buddhism29:31 What his vision is for the young people he is teaching38:43 How he sees his purpose46:28 Advice for anyone who is feeling unsure about what steps to take to move their life forward

Today we’re talking about family and what to do if you just can’t reconcile differences with them.Our guests are sisters Lauren and Molly Leebove from Michigan, whose intertwined stories of beginning their Buddhist practice and transforming their relationship with their parents are rich with lessons on what Buddhability looks like in a family setting.CHEAT SHEET1:22 Quote from Daisaku Ikeda in The New Human Revolution, vol. 26 p. 203–4.2:04 Introduction to Molly and Lauren2:54 How Molly started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism5:45 What Lauren’s reaction was to her sister’s practice and why she started her own7:37 What it was like growing up eight years apart12:08 Lauren’s struggle with her mental health in college17:28 How they both ended up back home in Michigan19:37 How Molly decided to challenge her struggle with being home21:44 The Buddhist concept “transforming karma into mission”24:12 How Lauren’s life changed when she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo26:43 Why caring for others can be so healing30:42 What it takes to set aside political or social differences39:31 How Lauren transformed rejection into shared love44:56 How starting fresh in every moment can change relationship dynamics51:58 What uniting for family harmony looks like56:31 How Buddhism changed my sister61:06 Advice for anyone struggling with a family rift

Today we have a trailer for a new video that we just released: Oneness of Life and Environment Explained. Can I actually influence what’s happening around me for the better? Do I really have control over my circumstances? At times it may seem like we don’t have much say in how our lives will go. But Buddhism teaches that people and their surroundings are interconnected. This is a key concept to understand on your Buddhability journey, in order to realize that we are the protagonists of our lives, not bystanders.

To celebrate our 40th episode and one year since we launched Buddhability, we’re looking back at highlights from past episodes. Reflecting on the feelings described by social psychologist Amy Cuddy and writer JillEllyn Riley in their recent article about “pandemic flux syndrome” we consider 4 tips on how to refresh yourself if you’re feeling worn out or anxious.Episodes referenced:Episode 7: Winning morning, winning lifeEpisode 24: On boundaries and true self-careEpisode 32: Navigating death and illnessEpisode 3: Buddhism, therapy and how people actually change

Today we’re addressing a feeling that can be experienced universally: feeling disconnected from yourself. Sometimes, our life looks pretty good on paper and we’re lucky enough to have meaningful work and relationships, but still, deep inside, we feel…nothing.Our guest is Rodrigo Carvalhedo, an animator and writer based in Los Angeles who started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism a few years ago, when he moved to the U.S. from Brazil to pursue an artistic career.Ever since then, he has been taking steps forward in his career, but halfway through the pandemic, he started to feel a deep sense of inertia. You know, that feeling that you’re going through the motions, and while you look okay, inside, you’re really struggling?We discuss how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essential practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism, can help you reconnect with yourself and find a sense of purpose again.CHEAT SHEET2:40 How Rodrigo discovered Buddhism through Instagram4:40 What motivated him to dive into the practice7:27 How he saw himself change once he started chanting10:45 The roots of his dream to become a writer and animator15:06 How the daily practice of chanting affected his work, both internally and externally20:32 When the inertia and emptiness set in during the pandemic23:23 What he did to address his feelings26:27 What happiness means in Buddhism30:32 How he reconnected with his practice35:36 A Buddhist quote that captures his experience37:12 How making an internal shift translated to a shift in his environment39:28 Advice for anyone who is feeling disconnected or empty right now