Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Step back into one of the most talked-about episodes in the Living the Tao archive. In “Demons and Ghosts Are Real!”, Master Steenrod explains why the Taoist view of ghosts and demons has little to do with Hollywood—and everything to do with emotional residue, intention, and stability of mind. This short trailer revisits the key ideas from the full episode: Why ghosts are often echoes rather than...

This is a public preview of Episode 1-154, available exclusively to subscribers. In this short segment, Master Steenrod explains why staying in the wrong situation burns extraordinary amounts of energy. Using the image of “fire under water,” he shows how misalignment drains karmic force, stalls growth, and signals the need for real transformation. If you’ve ever wondered why holding still can feel...

Sensory hygiene is one of the least understood but most powerful tools on the Taoist path. In this short conversation (2-9), Master Steenrod explains how half of self-management comes from managing your inputs — what you see, hear, and absorb from the world around you. You’ll learn how negative events stack to distort perception, why modern life overloads us with emotional variation, and how the F...

What if the power to change your life didn’t come from force—but from energy, timing, and awareness? In this episode (1-152) of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod unpacks the true meaning of Qi as the bridge between the human and the universal. He explains the Four Spheres of Taoism—Social, Martial, Qi, and Tao—and how each reveals a new level of perception and power. You’ll discover how Qi can disso...

In this short (2-8), Master Steenrod unpacks Taoism’s elusive stance on morality. What happens when a tradition without heaven or hell meets the moral hierarchies of Confucianism and the rituals of Buddhism? Discover how early Taoism resisted becoming a system of control, how politics turned ritual into power, and why “the noodle got spicy” when belief met bureaucracy. It’s a journey through ancie...

Taoism isn’t evangelical — it’s adaptable. In this short, Master Steenrod explains how the tradition has endured for thousands of years by “spicing the noodle”: blending with Buddhism, Confucianism, and even modern science without losing its flavor. Discover why Taoism calls itself a human method, not a divine truth — and how that flexibility keeps it alive in every age. 🎙️ Topics include syncreti...

Long before Daoism became philosophy, it was survival. In this episode (1-148), Taoist Master Steenrod traces the ancient, shamanic roots of Daoism — a time when humanity faced energetic predators and learned to fight back. Through humor and history, he reveals how early “supernatural combat” shaped the Daoist path: a tradition built on observation, proof, and endurance. What began as the defense...

Ever wonder if you’re already a Daoist at heart? In this reflective short (Ep 2-6), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the quiet signs that the path has already found you. From the way pain, fear, and desire shape our search for peace, to the strange resonance some feel when reading the Dao De Jing, this episode looks at why Daoism speaks so deeply—or not at all. Mikel reminds listeners that th...

In this Shorts episode (2-5), Taoist Master Steenrod lifts the veil on what Taoist practice really demands of a student. Beyond simple exercises, it’s a path that asks for endurance, openness, and the courage to face both inner and outer obstacles. A compact but powerful guide for those walking the Taoist road. Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons At...

What if the most powerful talisman wasn’t on paper, metal, or wood—but within you? In this Shorts episode (2-4), Master Steenrod explores how Daoist talismans work, why external charms are only reflections of the true source, and how recognizing yourself as a living talisman unlocks a deeper strength. Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution...

Most people think of the I Ching as a fortune-telling book. In this episode, we explore the Taoist view that time itself is non-linear — past, present, and future already coexist. That perspective explains why divination is possible and why Shi (the Sage’s alignment with time and place) matters. Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod and Morgan Boatman look at how coins, sticks, and bones act as tools to by...

Daoist Magic and the Art of Living ✨ Was Daoism really built on “magic”? In this free Living the Tao Short (2-3), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the origins of Daoist spiritual power — from ancient ritual combat and the Daozang’s magical practices to the moral responsibility of the true sage. Discover: 🔹 How “wizard” and “sage” describe the same spiritual path 🔹 What ling (靈) means in D...

In this episode, 2-2, of LTT Shorts, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores why most live by “rules of thumb” while a few chase divine truth—and why only an inner calling makes the journey worth it. Master Steenrod contrasts the everyday “rules of thumb” that guide most people through life with the Daoist pursuit of divine truth—an alignment with reality as it truly is. He explains why such a quest...

Episode 1-138 — Nature, Illusion, and Truth What if your search for truth started with the forest—not the feed? In this quietly provocative episode, Master Steenrod examines nature as a Daoist testing ground for reality, and contrasts it with the illusion cycles of modern social media. From ancient practices like Biguan to the digital age’s disorienting effects, this conversation weaves timeless D...

Welcome to the premiere episode of Living the Tao Shorts, the newest addition to the Living the Tao family! Taoism isn’t about waiting for the afterlife—it’s about mastering life, right here, right now. In this kickoff short, we explore how Taoism stands apart from systems built on judgment or salvation. Instead of telling you what to believe, it gives you tools—methods—for living well, staying he...

In episode 1-134 of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explains what truly defines Taoism—not as a rigid religion of unchanging texts and gods, but as a dynamic human method that evolves with time. Discover how Taoism rejects absolute divine authority in favor of adaptable practice, why texts are only partial references, and how personal integration is the goal—not obedience to rules. Fr...

In Episode 1-130, we explore the two core paths Taoism offers, why most people are drawn to one over the other, and how your everyday life may be the key to unlocking deeper power. Plus: why Taoism doesn’t promise an afterlife—and why that matters. This episode features a walk and talk video, for those preferring that format. Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Crea...

Episode 1-125: The True Meaning of Yin and Yang Everyone thinks they know yin and yang—but beneath the pop culture symbol lies a mystery that shaped the very fabric of Taoist cosmology. In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod lifts the veil on one of the most misunderstood symbols in spiritual history. More than a balance of opposites, yin and yang represent the hidden structure of how the D...

What fills your cup—and what coats it in dust? In this free monthly episode of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod dives into two essential metaphors from Daoist thought: the vessel and the red dust. You'll hear how the "filled cup" reflects our capacity to give, learn, and grow—and why sometimes, we must empty ourselves before receiving anything new. But the episode doesn't stop there. As the walk co...

BONUS Episode 7 – The Call to Wu Wei Why do some of us feel an unexplainable pull toward something deeper—toward the flow? In this bonus episode, we go beyond pop-philosophy and into the lived, raw terrain of Wu Wei, one of Daoism’s most iconic yet misunderstood concepts. While modern culture likes to equate Wu Wei with “flow state,” the truth is far more layered. We peel back the linguistic drift...

Welcome to Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod. In Episode 1-117, we journey into one of the most meaningful yet often misunderstood aspects of life: friendship. Through the gentle but incisive lens of Taoist philosophy, Master Steenrod invites us to explore how friendships arise, how they evolve, and how they affect the path of inner stillness and natural living. Friendship, in the T...

❓ Are you truly living in balance, or just following an illusion of it? 🤯 In this episode of Living the Tao, we challenge everything you think you know about balance, clarity, and the path to effortless living. Discover how Wu Wei, self-honesty, and questioning your perceptions can lead to true alignment with the Dao. 🌊 ✅ The hidden truth about Wu Wei and effortless action ✅ How Taoism teache...

What if everything you’ve heard about karma is only half the story? In this episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the lesser-known Taoist perspective on karma, revealing how it diverges from its Hindu and Buddhist origins. Discover how Taoism challenges common misconceptions and offers a fresh, practical approach to balancing intention, action, and harmony in your daily...

Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod describes the 4 conditions that must exist for a Happy life. Fulfilling Your True Nature.  Good Health.  Choices With Power.  Basic Needs Met. Master Steenrod provides practical tips on how to deal with shortcomings and build a happy, resilient life. Listen to this episode to explore happiness with Master Steenrod. Visit www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com for more res...

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod defines Spiritual Power as alignment with Divine Law.  Is that part of your Taoist Guiding Vision toward enlightenment? Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). Source: incompetech.com