What's This Tao All About?

Tod Perry

A lighthearted Taoism podcast hosted by Dr. Carl Totton and Tod Perry.

  • Show 96 — Getting Unstuck and Chuang Tzu’s Morality

    With the help of some insightful folks from Reddit, Tod and George dive into what it means to age gracefully—without getting stuck in their ways. They also explore their current challenges of cultivating the Tao and unpack the morality of Chuang Tzu through his chapter on apologies.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    24 March 2025, 2:31 pm
  • Show 95 — The Tao of Play and Chuang Tzu’s ‘Good Fortune’

    On this episode, Tod reviews George Thompson’s new movie “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.” The two also examine George’s ideas about play and Chung Tzu’s thoughts on the true meaning of having good fortune.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    3 March 2025, 10:51 pm
  • Show 94 — William Martin, Author of ‘Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching’

    Tod Talks with William Martin, author of “Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching.” We discuss his transformation from pastor to Taoist, the liberation Taoism offers from societal conditioning, and how it counters today’s constant wave of mediated information. William also reflects on learning from Alan Watts at the Esalen Institute, explores fear and safety, and explains wu-wei, the art of effortless action.

    Buy “Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching” at Amazon.

    William Martin’s website

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    10 February 2025, 4:34 am
  • Show 93 — Excess Baggage and the ‘Kingly Man’

    Tod and George reflect on Derek Lin’s insights about the unnecessary baggage we carry through life. They also discuss Thomas Merton’s translation of Chuang-Tzu’s “Kingly Man,” and George shares practical tips on how we can all let go of our excess baggage.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    20 January 2025, 11:00 pm
  • Show 92 — Praise and Action vs. Non-Action

    Tod and George examine why Lao Tzu says that Tao cultivators should work without looking for praise. Later, Chuang Tzu’s Action vs. Non-Action and David Lynch teaches how to catch the big fish.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    2 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • Show 91 — Manifestation and Senselessness

    George and Tod discuss whether the concept of manifestation works within the Tao and how we can all embrace the senselessness of the cosmos. Also, George talks about his new film, “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.”

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    Watch George Thompson’s new film, “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself” on YouTube.

    11 December 2024, 5:38 am
  • Show 90 — Taoism and Recovery with Buddy C.

    On this episode, Tod talks with Buddy C., the host of the “Tao of Our Understanding” podcast that looks at Taoism through the lens of addiction and recovery. Here, Buddy discusses how Taoism helped him overcome addiction and his recovery-focused version of the Tao Te Ching, “Powerless But Not Hopeless.”

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    5 November 2024, 4:12 pm
  • Show 89 — The Inner Law

    Tod and George examine Chuang Tzu’s inner law, a chapter that discusses whether we should be directed by our inner vice or outside forces. Plus, Tod answers an interesting philosophical question from his 8-year-old son, and George shares a gratitude practice.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    12 August 2024, 2:36 am
  • Show 88 — Born in Tao

    Tod and George discuss Chuang Tzu’s “Man is Born in Tao” and examine how we know whether we are connected to the Tao or not. Plus, a children’s TV show is getting into Taoism and why popcorn is cannibalism.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    29 July 2024, 3:25 am
  • Show 87 — Chuang Tzu and liberation

    Tod and George start their investigation into the works of Chuang Tzu with Thomas Merton’s translation of his pivotal chapter, “Man of Tao.” We also meet our new co-host, George Thompson and Tod shares an update on Dr. Carl Totton’s health.

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    8 July 2024, 10:02 pm
  • Show 86 — Dr. Totton’s Final Journey

    GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

    Tod shares an update on Dr. Totton’s health, discusses the show’s future, and looks back at Dr. Carl’s thoughts about the circle of life.

    28 January 2024, 7:40 pm
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