The Examined Life with Bram Levinson
by Bram Levinson
There is always something to learn from the experience of being spiritually awake in today's world. For over a decade Bram Levinson has brought his unique form of spirituality, humour, purpose and teaching to students and listeners, and now he's sharing his thoughts and insights in The Examined Life with Bram Levinson Podcast. Tune in for some often lightweight and irreverent, and at other times deeply spiritual and significant podcasts that will inspire and provoke thought.
Episodes
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Storyteller Series - Interview with Tranna Wintour
There is too much to say about my latest guest on the podcast. You may know her from The Traitors Canada or from Big Brother Célébrités or from her ever-growing social media presence. Tranna Wintour is a writer, performer, comedienne, actress, reality TV personality and Montreal royalty. Her…
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Storyteller Series - Interview with Jen Millar
I met Jen Millar in 2024 when I brought a group of yoga and meditation students to the retreat centre she and her husband, Stuart, own and operate on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica and the rest, as they say, is history. Jen is a functional medicine nutritionist and health coach, and what she and...
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Storyteller Series - Interview with Sam Demma
If you aren't familiar with Sam Demma, you should be. Sam is doing incredible things in the Keynote Speaking world, largely informed by his work in schools, auditoriums and arenas inspiring young adults (and older ones) to plug into higher-frequency vibrations. He has one book out (Empty Your...
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Storyteller Series - Interview with Photographer Robert Sturman
As some of you know who follow me on social media, I crossed paths with photographer Robert Sturman a few weeks ago when I arrived in Costa Rica, and what a serendipitous crossing it was. For those of you who don't know Robert or his work, you should. He is most commonly known for the photography...
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Storyteller Series - Interview with Catherine Mckenzie
I wrote Storyteller to spark recognition and commonality in readers who were reading the stories I shared from my life in the book. In the spirit of doing just that, bringing us together through hearing other people's stories, the Storyteller Series for this podcast was born. For our first…
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Dropping In Minisode
A short minisode recorded deep in the Costa Rican jungle from Nereus Retreats to kick off the new season of the podcast! Not only has Storyteller been released into the world, but a very special new season of the podcast titled The Storyteller Series is dropping in the coming weeks. Some...
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Italy Pt 2
The Italian Odyssey continues in full wonder and amazement...more travel, more friends (some new) and lots of serendipitous signs all around me. Enjoy and stay tuned for the final instalment from the land of carbs.
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Italy Pt 1
It all started with an invitation to officiate a wedding in Italy. With that wedding still days away, the past four days have been a whirlwind of all the things, culminating in an evening tonight that will go down in my memory as one of the greatest moments of my life. Enjoy, and I'm expecting…
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Speaking From Self, Not For Self
How do a psychological modality for healing, Hindu scripture and mindfulness all intersect? The latest episode of the podcast brings together Internal Family Systems, the Upanishads and mindfulness to illuminate a path of healing that has played a huge role in my own healing and the wellness...
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Primal Screaming in the Schoolyard
Doesn't it just seem like life is getting more and more constraining? Like we're being barraged by destabilizing information from all sides, all the time? This episode speaks directly to how life seems to be these days and offers some laughs, some insight and some helpful hacks to navigate your…
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Nurses On The Inside - An Interview with Ellen Matzer and Valery Hughes
On Tuesday, January 23, while onstage at Madison Square Garden, Madonna spoke about, and to, two nurses who had been on the frontlines during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City in the 1980's and 1990's. Her words paid homage to these unsung heroes, and Valery Hughes and Ellen Matzer sat down...
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Musings From The Enchanted Jungle
After heading to Costa Rica for a yoga, meditation and mindfulness retreat in the jungle that elicited zero emotions or feelings leading up to it, I found myself with my heart blown open in a land of enchantment and wonder. Enjoy the contents of my heart and my mind as I felt compelled to share...
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Get On The Bus, Gus
On my last full day in Paros, I got into the car and let intuition guide me to wherever I felt compelled to be on the island. I ended up in the mountains, no surprise there. Some thoughts at the tail end of an adventurous couple of months.
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On Weather, Intolerance and Ants
A stream of (pre-considered) consciousness that may just change the way you think about certain things. Enjoy!
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Perceptions of Success with Sarah Wilkinson
A frank and in-depth conversation with Sarah Wilkinson, a woman who has spent the last couple of years redesigning her life and who has some valuable insight and wisdom to show for it.
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Portals
As I take a day out of the sun, I can't help but reflecting on the past decade of offering the Paros wellness trip and gleaning some wisdom from it all. Enjoy!
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Attaching
Yoga philosophy tells us that attachment is an obstacle to finding truth, and mindfulness and meditation tell us that withdrawal of the person and the senses are essential, yet attachment theory tells us that every one of us will seek out someone to attach to and that that is not only ok, we are...
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An Ode To Sinéad
Life had a major lesson in store for me over the last couple of months, and as I believe lessons are meant to be shared, let this one be a lesson that stays with us all. It all started back in 1988 with a Rolling Stone article that changed my life, and the rest...well give this episode a listen…
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Rest Ethic
As has been the norm over the last few episodes, there has been an extended pause since this podcast has been updated. The sea change seems to be occurring, and I'm back, this time broadcasting from my other home away from home, England. Some musings and sharing to kick things back off, so enjoy.
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There's Always A F-In Woodpecker
What is it about beautiful geographical locations that resonates so much with us? And what can we do when, even in the most engaging moments, the mind wanders into the anxiety and rumination-inducing patterns? Welcome to The Woodpecker Rule, a daily mindfulness practice that is easy to use,...
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Clinging For Dear Life
I am in Greece taking time and space for myself, and as I had hoped would happen (but could not have planned for), I woke up this morning with somewhat of an epiphany I felt compelled to share. Enjoy!
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Suspiciously Silent
It's been nine months since the last episode, and I am back, this time recording live from Paros. Some thoughts, musings, epiphanies and observations I felt compelled to share, so enjoy!
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The Kindness Calendar
I have been talking to students this week about channeling the energy of calm and well-being that they find in their personal meditation or yoga practice out into the world for this Holiday season. Then, tonight, I came across a social media post my younger brother posted that introduced me to an...
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Remember This
Pandemica. Terror attacks. Election Day in the US. The fight for freedom and equality. We are living in a concentrated moment of life happening, and the tendency is to anesthetize from the discomfort it elicits in us. Don't. Here's why.
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The Wisdom of Ashtavakra Revisited
Happiness seems to be in short supply these days. All the more reason to talk about it, give some insight into it and dip into The Ashtavakra Gita to get some wisdom that will only steer us in the right direction, closer to happiness and closer to enjoying the ride. So enjoy the ride :)
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The Star In Mario
I stepped out today into the greenery of Mont-Royal with musician Mike Daigle for some quality conversation about meditation, music, the artistic process and even tiny bit about anti-maskers. Enjoy!
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Elevation
I woke up this morning exhausted from my digestive system trying to deal with the massive Indian dinner I ate last night. That somehow inspired me to produce this latest episode :)))) Enjoy!
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A Moment of Rest Meditation - Words + Music
Many of my coaching clients over the past few months have been working to balance out all the doing with some down time, and it has not been easy. Every single one of us needs to give ourselves an opportunity to rest, to properly allow the nervous system to come closer to its default settings. So...
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Fumbling Towards Honour
We all have work to do, work that allows us to shed old habits and patterns that may be doing more harm than good, and I am no exception. In this episode, I reference a spiritual teaching that helps me keep myself accountable and in check when necessary. Enjoy!
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How Much Is Enough?
In Yogic and Hindu studies we are taught that attachment is an obstacle to finding peace. And so what does the practice of non-attachment actually entail? Here are my thoughts about it all.
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Awakening - Words + Music
A short, eight-and-a-half minute, meditation to listen to with headphones and a smile. Words from A Year In The Light, all words and music written and produced by me. Enjoy :)
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Justified In The Absence Of Justice?
Just when you thought things couldn't get more volatile, they did. Riots, protests, marches, fists raised in solidarity in the air. There are lessons to be learned and battles to fight, and we all are being forced to participate. The revolution is being televised and here are my thoughts about it.
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The Strange Gift - A Conversation with Adriana Palanca
What started out as a potential episode for a new podcast project ended up being a frank, candid conversation with one of my closest friends, perfect for The Examined Life. Give it a listen for some real talk among real friends.
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The Magicians - Words & Music
We learn in times of adversity, when life doesn't go the way we hoped it would. And the most important thing we can learn is our ability to practice magic, to transform what harms into what heals. Give this a listen to see what I mean.
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Disparity - Words & Music
A short contribution to the podcast introducing a new, meditative way of listening to my words, voice and expression. All content created by me, for you all. Enjoy.
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Constant Craving
I had a moment last week when I needed to get some inspiration, and I found it in the most ironic of places thanks to all of you who have shown me how my books were meant to be used. This episode is largely a tip of the hat and the heart to all of you who have traveled with me around the world....
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An Age of Firsts
Things are different. And many of us have found ourselves thrust into new ways of doing, new practices, new routines. Check out my thoughts about this new wave in time we are riding in the first episode of the second season of the podcast!
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Welcome To My World
Some thoughts in the time of Covid-19 from the perspective of someone who has lived formative years in the presence of fear. With lots of swearing. And wisdom. And light. And swearing.
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Rude Awakenings
Sometimes shit going "wrong" is what it takes to wake us up to how we meet life's bumpier moments. In this unique moment of firsts that we are all experiencing, I wanted to share some thoughts that have arisen from the exchanges I've had over the last couple of weeks. Have a listen.
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Connection Through Isolation
Coronavirus. Covid-19. Isolation. Distancing. Quarantine. Our vocabulary has changed. Life has changed. Drastically. These are my musings.
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Coronavirus - The Musical
In this episode: - my absence from podcasting explained - some observations in this moment of growing panic - perspective on fear - why getting the shit scared out of you might just be the greatest awakening ever
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Closing The Loop
I was reminded recently that every little thing that occurs potentially holds significance that will eventually make itself known given time and awareness. I was also reminded of how suffering can bring us together in indescribably beautiful ways. Give this a listen...
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Key Principles To Remember In Moments of Suffering
Suffering is one of life's great equalizers, no one is immune to it, and I felt compelled to record this episode after being on a call with a client who is going through chemotherapy treatments. Whether suffering is initiated by a negative belief or physical pain, we all need tools to respond...
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Some Final Musings From Rome
This last day of the Yoga & Meditation City Break in Rome has been full of insight and revelations. From the second I woke up and checked my messages to the group's closing circle following our last class together, there have been lessons to contemplate. Here is one last episode from this…
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Liminal Spaces
What is liminality? What are liminal spaces? Why should you even care? In this first episode of 2020, I explain it all. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
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2019 End-Of-Year Address
My thoughts and musings as this cycle of 2019 comes to a close and leads us into a new decade, and a special dedication to a special woman. Happy, healthy New Year to you all!
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The Wisdom of Ashtavakra (Or The Week I Saw Madonna in Miami)
I spent a week in Miami to not only getaway from Montreal's winter, but to see Madonna on her Madame X Tour. The lessons I have to share from the whole experience are waiting for you in this episode. Enjoy!
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The Qualities of Nature
The Gunas, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita, are the three qualities of nature that are present within and all around us. What they are, how they work, why they can be obstacles to finding truth and how they apply to every one of us is discussed in this episode. Enjoy!
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Cyclically Speaking
If we understood ourselves to be somewhere on a timeline in relation to our jobs, our relationships, our friendships and all other aspects of life, what we would change? Lots. Check out what I mean in this latest episode.
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Interview With Dyan Solomon
Dyan Soloman is the co-owner of Olive + Gourmando, Foxy, Il Po Di Piu, some of Montreal's top restaurants. She has also just released the long-awaited Olive + Gourmando cookbook, and I sat down with her to talk about that project, as well as the "mini-empire" that she oversees, an empire that is...
About this show
There is always something to learn from the experience of being spiritually awake in today's world. For over a decade Bram Levinson has brought his unique form of spirituality, humour, purpose and teaching to students and listeners, and now he's sharing his thoughts and insights in The Examined Life with Bram Levinson Podcast. Tune in for some often lightweight and irreverent, and at other times deeply spiritual and significant podcasts that will inspire and provoke thought.
Hosted by
Bram Levinson
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