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Mark Reid, host of the Zen Sammich podcast, is the recipient of the 2022 Radiance Award for Storytelling Excellence!

Awarded by 360° NATION – an online global media digest – more information about the awards can be found here: 2022 Radiance Awards Press Release

Zen Sammich with Mark Reid, J.D.

Zen Sammich is a podcast for the independent thinker and anyone who embraces life despite its absurdities.

Former professor and attorney turned Japanese paper maker, Mark Reid, inspires mindfulness, humor, and a down-to-earth 21st century “Zen” lifestyle.

Join him as he talks with creative, inspiring, and influential people. Or, as he shares his own research, observing the socially constructed mess of reality, sharing travel stories, and exploring what it means to be alive in the modern world.

Recent and Highlighted Episodes

For The Love of Writing & Living Interestingly | Ep. #146

How do you reconcile living simplistically with living life to the fullest?

Do those two concepts need reconciling at all?

I ask prolific author and, arguably, the doppelgänger for Dos Equis’s “Most Interesting Man in the World,” Joseph Carrabis, that question among many others.

We discuss Zen and the art of writing, cooking and living a full life of simplicity.

You can find out more about Joseph and purchase one of his many books, including his latest entitled, “The Shaman,” here: https://josephcarrabis.com/

What Should You Do With Your Life? | Ep. #145

If you were to look in the mirror each morning and ask, “Do I feel good about what I’m doing today?” would your answer be “yes” more often than “no”?

Emotions Aren't The Enemy | Ep. #144

Do you have control over your emotions?

Do you suppress them out of a desire to be “strong” or (for guys) “manly”? Or, on the other hand, do they overwhelm you?

When you master your emotions and guide them in a good direction, they become an asset rather than a liability.

Daniel Gasser discusses how we can utilize our emotions in a positive way. He is a coach for men, helping them to become better men who are both, in touch with and in control of, their emotions.

Follow Daniel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgasser-empowers-men/

Find out more about what he does at https://danielg.online/

Also, you can get help with an alcohol problem through one of his programs here: https://quitthebottle.com/

Stop Doing Sh*t You Hate | Ep. #143

From the daily grind to pursuing dreams and goals of things you don’t actually enjoy doing, it’s time to let go of chasing identities.

Instead, embrace the things in life you truly enjoy doing.

More To It Than You Think | Ep. #142

Ever thought about starting a podcast?

Syya Yasotornrat, founder of Brilliant Beam Media, joins Zen Sammich to discuss the joys and woes of podcasting (spoiler alert: there are more highs than lows).

She even shares a worthwhile Zen tip about humility.

https://www.brilliantbeammedia.com/

The Joy of Living Slowly | Ep. 141#

Why isn’t the pace of life slowing down?

We have smartphones, automation, AI, and cars that drive themselves. That should mean we have to work less, right?

Then, why aren’t we?

Two roads diverged. One leads to burnout and the other to peace of mind. It’s ultimately up to you which path you take.

Rekindling Our Kindness | Ep. #140

Do we lose kindness as we age? Is the world getting meaner? Or does it just happen to us individually as we get older?

More importantly, how do we fix it?

Accountant turned author, Tammy Hader, has some great advice, gleaned from her experience of rediscovering her kindness.

Her book is “Walking Old Roads: A Memoir of Kindness Rediscovered”

Find out more about Tammy and her book at tammyhader.com.

How To Get Back Up | Ep. #139

What was your last slip up?

We ALL make mistakes. Whether it is overeating while on a diet, procrastinating that work project until it is too late to get it done on time, or just saying something unnecessarily hurtful to the person you love.

Often, the feelings of regret, guilt, shame and disappointment are worse than the actual mistake itself. So, the question is, how do we move past those feelings and get back up when we stumble?

What Would You Ask A Rabbi? | Ep. #138

What does It mean to be Jewish? Is Judaism a race or a religion?

Why would there be a rise in anti-semitism in this day and age?

Let’s ask a rabbi!

Rabbi Yonason Goldson is the author of several acclaimed books, a TEDx speaker, and the “ethics ninja!”

His latest work due out soon is called “The Spiral of Time.”

Find out more at: https://www.ethicsninja.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonason-goldson/

Don't Forget You Have An Interesting Life | Ep. #137

Here are 5 key components for identifying and realizing that YOU have lived a captivating life and continue to live one. Yes, you.

Comedy and Englightenment | Ep. #136

What if you thought about life like you are the main character of your own story?

How would that change the way adversity hits you in life? That, if you wrote a story, wouldn’t you include bad characters and events and struggles in your story?

And, the hero – YOU – would overcome that stuff, of course. Without the adversity, it would probably be a pretty boring story.

This episode is a double header of comedy and enlightenment. It even includes a cameo appearance by the inspiring “Joey the Mets fan.”

Standup comedian, speech writer, host of “40 Going on 4” and author of “The Path to Perfectia,” Geoff Woliner joins the show for an enlightening and humorous journey.

Catch Geoff’s new show “40 Going on 4” by following him on Linkedin and recently launched here: https://www.youtube.com/@40GoingOn4

Check out his book, “The Path to Perfectia” on Amazon.

Do You Really Test Your Opinions and Beliefs? | Ep. #135

Do you have a confirmation bias?

Odds are you do. It’s not as obvious as you might think.

How can we overcome simply seeking out validation for our opinions and beliefs, and in the process get closer to REAL truth?

Two Keys To True Happiness | Ep. #134

What does “true happiness” mean for you?

Looking inward, controlling your emotions, just taking that first step, making the necessary life changes to be your authentic self… there’s a lot to this whole business of happiness.

Bryan Sagray and I discuss his journey and, ultimately, the 2 biggest keys to finding happiness in your life.

Follow Bryan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-sagray-dpm-facfas/

Book a free consultation call with Bryan here: https://stan.store/DrBryanSagray

Keeping Your Inner Child Alive | Ep. #133

What is it you enjoy about being alive?

Making the case for putting curiosity and playfulness on your daily to-do list.

Moreover, see the inner child in Others. Embrace their imperfections and forgive their goofs, just as you would a child.

Take Nothing Personally | Ep. #131

Criticism and name calling can hurt. It is a harsh and cruel world sometimes. Whether from strangers on the internet or people close to you, unsavory words can come from any direction.

What if we could live in a way in which we took nothing said about us personally?

Embrace Your Goofiness | Ep. #130

The more you listen to your heart and tap into your inner child, the happier a person you can be.

The affable Raquel Borras is living proof of her own advice.

A multi-faceted, multi-podcasting rockstar and the “Queen of Goofiness” joins Zen Sammich to reveal some personal stories, her motivations, and to inspire us all.

Follow her on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-borras/

On Instagram @ raquel.borras

And check out “Raq the Boat”: https://www.youtube.com/@RaqTheBoat

How To Live Carefree | Ep. #129

Ever wish you could live a little more carefree? Now you can. Just takes a little practice of these three steps.

How To Deal With A**holes | Ep. #126

We all know ’em! People who are just deliberately not nice. For whatever reason. It can be quite a challenge for those of us who strive to be kind all the time.

With some help from the Smurfs, Benny Hill, and Chuck Norris, here are 5 practical methods of how to deal with a-holes you encounter in life.

Wander The Goalless Path | Ep. #121

“You are already where you need to be.”

The absence of goals does not signify an absence of purpose. Rather, “wandering” invites us to immerse ourselves in the present, guided only by principles and passions.

Reframe Reality By Chucking Expectations | Ep. #119

Reality does not care about your expectations. In fact, the world and the people in it will let you down if you hold onto expectations of how they or life should be.

When you become an observer instead of constantly judging the world, you suddenly discover a lot more beauty around you.

Practice Your Inner "Hell Yeah!" | Ep. #117

What would the world look like if we complained less and found a way to simply say “Hell Yeah!” more often?

Learn To Trust Yourself | Ep. #115

Trusting yourself is key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Zen Sammich discusses 3 key components of trusting yourself.

Less Noise, More Meaning | Ep. #111

We live in a world that is constantly vying for your attention. Practice turning down that noise and putting your focus on what has meaning and value in your life instead.

All Previous Episodes

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