Wander on the Way: Recent Episodes
Josh Perry
This podcast is a multifaceted project that is equal parts passion project, attention practice, community building, and space for the things we may want but can’t find easily elsewhere. A place where rich, deep conversations are common, desired, and even expected. Episodes alternate between solo thoughts on interesting topics, and guest speakers sharing from their own experiences about how they bring their personal philosophy into day-to-day action
Hwa Yeong Wang, or just Wang as you'll hear me call her is a Korean Confucian Philosopher so today's episode is a little more on the academic side of things than other interviews. We're discussing a question whose answer has major implications for how we live our lives and organize our societies: Are humans, fundamentally, good? Before we begin, I just wanted to say that there are a few footnotes to the episode which I will share after the conversation, so if you'd like to get a little extra context please listen all the way through to the end.
Wang helps me to lay bare my still very western approach to understanding ideas. I came away from this conversation humbled by the caution and nuance Wang brought about the differences and similarities between Confucians and Daoists. Perhaps we would do well to remember that the critiques our philosophical opponents have may indeed be warranted. In a world where we are quick to jump separate into our tribes, it is the connections with people outside our immediate circle that may be the most enriching.
As you listen today, I want you to consider the many different ways you relate to the people around you... Think of the love and gratitude that you feel and express toward those closest to you, and ask yourself: Are there little things I can do to extend those sentiments and actions beyond my close bonds toward the acquaintances and strangers I may meet on the street?
Advisors and mentors typically have an arsenal of questions at their disposal to help get the engine turning over so we can actually begin to make progress on our ambitions. Questions like: What if it were easy? What obstacles are in your way, and What do you need in order to get by them? What are you doing now to make progress? What would you change about the current situation to enable this? Most of these questions are designed to get you thinking about what a reality would look like where you were doing something instead of just thinking about it. If we can imagine that reality, it becomes much easier to execute because, in some sense, it is already real.
Today's Episode helps us ask some of these questions, and then sets us down the path of taking "right action" in order to help us create purpose and meaning in our lives
Today's guest is Richard Taylor Jr., a motivational speaker, mental health advocate, and author who's own personal experiences in high school and college helped shape him into the powerhouse he is today.
A quick word of caution about today's episode before we begin. While we don't get into the details too much or discuss some of the trauma involved, Richard's experiences center heavily around his multiple suicide attempts, the last of which he narrowly survived. Today we are going to focus on the important takeaways he has kept close to his heart; the sorts of things he struggled to learn and now spends his life travelling to educate others about. His message is all about doing what it takes to put the lessons life gives us into practice rather than merely talking a good game. For Richard, his faith and faith community served as the vessel for finally putting action behind his beliefs, something he and I agree is essential.
As you listen today, think about the ways in which YOU might be more talk than action, and look for opportunities to do what you already know you can do to be more closely aligned with your intentions.
What’s in a name? Turns out a lot! Developing the name for this podcast was one of the most challenging parts of producing it actually, because you really want it to be meaningful and make an impact. In today’s episode, I’m touching on some of the foundational elements that make up the name of the show. We’re talking Taoism (Daoism), purposeless and easy wandering. The merger of these two topics provides the framework of my philosophy when helping others, and it works pretty well as a podcast name too! Take a listen if you'd like to get a quick and decent primer on Daoism, or if you’d like to learn a little more about slowing down and taking things easy.
Today’s guest is Kyvaughn Henry. She and I had the great opportunity to work together as a part of AEEE, our regional professional organization advocating for the success of under-privileged students, and right away our skillsets and styles just seemed to click. In fact, she’s one of the big voices who pushed me to get started with this podcast. If you were ever looking for a role model on how to hustle, Kyvaughn has to be one of the best, but she shows that hustle alone doesn’t get you very far without opportunity, and that opportunity can sometimes pull you in too many different directions.
As you listen today, think about the opportunities that you jumped on and brought you to where you are now. Then, think about whether there are any others right now that maybe deserve the focus of your attention.
Today’s guest is Josue “JQ” Quiñones, and I met him early in my career before he took up the calling to become a counselor and eventually speaker and performing artist. Right away, I was struck by his ability to weave a story when he spoke, and I think you’ll agree as you listen to today’s episode. JQ has had a wealth of experiences that have kept him dancing with his faith and following the constant journey that has brought him to this point and will take him to the next one.
As you listen today, please remember to pause a moment and reflect on your own path. Think about where you might be going, and what... or who... you’re carrying along with you.
In today's episode, I'm here to talk a bit about the idea of "surrender." This important concept gets a bad reputation a lot, and we often like to glorify having passion and fighting despite all odds (ideally winning in the process!) But I am here to make the case that we should see it in a little more nuanced light, and even find opportunities and ways to surrender more deliberately and intentionally.
The main topics in today's episode include
Understanding what surrender is How might we already be surrendering in our day to day life without even realizing it Some ways that I use surrender for good My case for using surrender more intentionally And finally, a reading of the Daodejing chapter 29, which I think is relevant to our discussion today
I met Gissella when she came to the US from Peru to study a computer science masters degree; all with the aim of eventually helping to elevate the quality of research in Peru. Her story is one of being open to, and jumping on opportunities when they showed up. It is filled with passion for doing the right thing and for using her voice to lift up the people following in her footsteps.
As you listen to her story, I hope it reminds you to look up from the path you are on and take in the sights around you. You never know what new path you might decide to embark on
Welcome to the Wander on the Way podcast! This episode is my official introduction to the show as well as some information about me, the host of it. In this episode, we’re covering three big questions fitting of the start of the journey:
Who am I?
What am I doing?
Why a podcast?
“Who am I?” is such a rich question ripe for exploration, and I’m really just going to touch the surface of it, while hopefully giving you something to think about for the next time YOU get asked that question.
“What am I doing?” can be similarly existential, and I try my best to divorce my resume from my skills and actions. In the end, what I am doing is creating space and helping people.
“Why a podcast?” is really what this is all about, because I’m NOT simply making a podcast. I’m making a space where others can come reflect and share their stories, and where together we can explore some of life’s other big questions.