The Game of Zen

In this special episode of The Game of Zen , Host Paul Gyodo Agostinelli takes a deep dive into the intersection of modern behavior science and spiritual transformation with author, behavioral coach, and podcast host Eric Zimmer . Drawing from his personal journey overcoming severe addiction, Eric shares the foundational philosophy behind his award-winning, 50-million-download podcast, The One You...

In this episode, we dive deep into the "distinct competitive performance advantage of slowing down" with Aaron Hendon, a best-selling author, leadership trainer, and the Chief of the Mindful CEO. With over 30 years of experience in ontological leadership and a successful career in real estate, Aaron joins us to deconstruct the "hustle culture" trap that keeps many high-performing leaders in a cons...

In this episode, Scott and Paul pivot to a new series: The Games of Life. They explore why Zen is the 'Master Game' that prevents us from taking social rules too seriously. By deconstructing the Game of Childhood and the Game of Education , they reveal how our earliest 'characters' are built and how Zen practice helps us question the identities we've carried since the playground." Detailed Episode...

In this episode of the Game of Zen podcast, hosts Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo reflect on their conversations from 2025 to synthesize their core teachings and look ahead toward 2026. Utilizing NotebookLM to map out their previous content, the hosts introduce an AI-generated infographic shaped like a tree to represent the four primary "branches" of their practice: Navigating Paradigm Shifts, Cultiva...

Can you find enlightenment on a London Underground platform or in the middle of a £25 million corporate crisis? In this episode of Game of Zen , hosts Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo Agostinelli sit down with Mark Thornton , former COO of JPMorgan Private Bank and author of Meditation in a New York Minute . Mark shares his radical journey from a "caffeine-addicted stress junkie" in the high-stakes wor...

This podcast episode, "From Karma to Dharma," Hosts Scott & Paul explore the concept of the Bodhisattva —an archetypal energy in Mahayana Buddhism focused on personal awakening and helping others do the same. The discussion centers on making a fundamental shift in perspective: moving away from an obsessive focus on karma (personal, conditioned circumstances and plans) to embracing dharma (one'...

Hosts Scott and Paul discuss the interplay between Zen Buddhist principles and everyday life, focusing on the concept of insufficiency or "not enoughness," which the first truth of Buddhism identifies as the root of suffering. The hosts explore how this sense of lack manifests across six key categories—time, money, people, information, energy, and attention—while sharing personal anecdot...

This conversation, "The Game of Zen," covers four key "self-evident truths" from Paul's "Zen Shift" newsletter and the essential practice of mindful living when navigating difficult, tumultuous times. The Zen Shift in Focus This thought-provoking episode of The Game of Zen centers on the "Zen Shift" —the profound change in perspective needed to counter the psychological danger of holding false or...

The Game of Zen Podcast: The Outer and Inner Shifts Hosts Scott Berman and Sensei Paul explore a global paradigm shift from a materialist to an animist understanding of reality, emphasizing the primacy of consciousness. They examine the accelerating pace of change, particularly with technological advancements like AI, and advocate for an inner shift towards prese...

This podcast episode from "The Game of Zen" features hosts Scott Berman and Sensei Paul discussing the interrelatedness of professional, personal, and spiritual growth. They explore life teachings from the Buddha and Zen mindfulness practices to enhance "wholehearted work, life, and play." A core theme is the evolution of an individual's moral sense, moving from confusion and l...

In this episode of The Game of Zen, Scott and Paul discuss death and impermanence, drawing from Paul's newsletter, "The Mortal Coil." Contemplating Death for a Happier Life (1:00 - 4:00) Paul shares his belief that contemplating your own death leads to a happier life and helps relieve existential anxiety. He explains that suppressing the fear of death also suppresses a lot of the "juice" in life a...

Here is a timeline summary of the conversation: The Game of Zen: Finding True Independence Scott Berman and Sensei Paul's "The Game of Zen" podcast explores the connection between professional, personal, and spiritual growth, drawing on Buddhist and Zen teachings. This episode focuses on independence and self-empowerment , especially relevant with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the USA. True Em...

Embracing Mindfulness Amidst Chaos : Paul notes the "crazy" world, and Scott highlights how chaos increases his desire for internal calm through Zen, meditation, and mindfulness . Podcast Format Changes & Paul's Business : Scott announces shorter episodes and a new focus on Paul's business, Zen at Work (zenetwork.org) , praising Paul's ability to make Zen and Buddhism relatable and applicable...

Introduction & Episode Theme (Excerpts 1-4) Scott Berman welcomes listeners to "The Game of Zen" podcast from Philadelphia, PA, with Sensei Paul checking in from Boulder, Colorado. They briefly discuss the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl win and the town's excitement. Scott introduces the episode's theme: "staying calm in the storm" , relating it to athletes like Jalen Hurts who perform well u...

A new episode of the Game of Zen podcast is now available: We dive deep into Zen Buddhism and aging, discussing how mindfulness and acceptance play vital roles in coping with loss, planning for the future, and learning from life’s unpredictable nature. We also touch on the importance of being present with loved ones in their final moments and how appreciating life's impermanence can transform our...

Welcome back to another enriching episode of "Game of Zen," where we explore the synergy between professional, personal, and spiritual growth through the lens of Buddhism and Zen mindfulness. In this episode, hosts Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo Agostinelli dive into the profound influence of spirituality on relationships, drawing from their personal journeys and Buddhist teachings. Join us as Paul u...

In this new episode, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of psychedelics, focusing on their integration with mindfulness and Zen Buddhism. This is part two of our exploration into how substances like MDMA and psilocybin can revolutionize our approach to mental health and spiritual growth. Paul shares his profound insights on how safe and regulated use of psychedelics can enhance personal...

In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us - Courtney Schulnick, an accomplished litigator and dedicated mindfulness teacher. Courtney shares her inspiring journey of discovering mindfulness amidst the challenges of balancing a demanding legal career with being a wife and mother to three boys. Driven by experiences of stress, anxiety, and a longing for better work-life balance, Co...

In our latest episode, Paul and I dove deep into the topic of teachers and their impact on our personal and professional lives. We discussed the three levels of Buddha treasure, the importance of engaging with formal teachings, and how business coaching can provide practical guidance for growth and awakening in the work world. Paul shared his journey as a Zen teacher and how he now helps entrepren...

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of "Game of Zen." Today, we're diving into the transformative power of the beginner's mind with your hosts, Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo Agostinelli. We explore how adopting a mindset free of preconceived notions and habitual thinking can lead to continuous growth, enriched relationships, and enhanced problem-solving abilities. Scott and Paul kick off th...

Welcome to Episode 20 of the Game of Zen, the podcast where we explore the intriguing intersection of professional, personal, and spiritual growth through the lens of Zen mindfulness and Buddhist teachings. Your hosts, Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo Agostinelli, are thrilled to welcome our insightful guest, Denise Clegg. With a rich background in Tibetan Buddhism, contemplative practices, coaching, a...

 On today’s episode of Game of Zen, we dive into the concept of attachment and its profound impact on our personal and professional lives. We explore how our attachments, whether towards people, success, or material possessions, can lead to suffering but also provide deep insights into our own behaviors. Paul & Scott highlight that understanding secure versus unhealthy attachment, especially...

Get ready for another enlightening journey on this week’s episode of The Game of Zen Podcast. Join hosts Paul & Scott as we explore the profound impact of Zen practices in both personal and corporate settings, and the importance of community in our spiritual journeys. Learn about the transformative potential of Zen retreats at Paul’s Boulder center. From daily meditation to intentional communi...

We're thrilled to share with you the latest journey of spiritual exploration in our Game of Zen podcast. Enlightenment seekers like yourself won’t want to miss Episode 17, titled "The Third Poison - Ignorance," where our hosts delve deep into one of the greatest barriers on the road to awakening. Scott and Paul skillfully navigate through the murky waters of ignorance. As they discuss the impact o...

Dive deep with us in an enriching conversation with special guest Aneta Ardelian Kuzma, a beacon of transformation in the realm of leadership and wellness. Having transcended her illustrious banking career into a passion-driven mission to promote well-being in the corporate world, Aneta's story is bound to captivate and inspire. 00:00 Early yoga and meditation fueled busy life. 06:01 Obtained mult...