Wendy Hasenkamp – Widening the Aperture

Since this podcast launched, Wendy Hasenkamp has guided listeners through 84 in-depth conversations, bringing warmth, curiosity, and intellectual depth to every episode. After five years with the show and over 13 years with the Mind & Life Institute, Wendy is stepping into a new chapter, returning to school and pursuing studies to become a clinical herbalist. While we’ll miss her deeply, we’re excited about this new path for her, where she will surely continue to share her wisdom and guide others toward greater well-being and connection. In this special episode, Mind & Life co-producer Phil Walker sits down with Wendy for a conversation reflecting on her time as host—the insights gained, the themes that emerged, and the questions that continue to inspire her. They cover many topics, including:

• her own path into contemplative science;

• finding a home in the Mind & Life community;

• the dialogue between Buddhism and science;

• supporting science education for Tibetan monastics;

• science communication, nuance & mindfulness hype;

• how this podcast was born and evolved over time;

• the importance of open-mindedness and critique in science;

• some key themes that emerged from years of conversations with leading thinkers and scholars;

• reckoning with an interdependent self;

• the problem of othering;

• mind-body connection;

• reflections on where contemplative science has been and where it’s going;

• interconnectedness with nature;

• and her next steps in the world of herbalism and holistic medicine.

Full show notes and resources (podcast.mindandlife.org/wendy-hasenkamp)