What Would Buddha Do?

Send us Fan Mail What if clarity never comes? What if you stay stuck, uncertain, and spinning forever? In this season finale, we explore the deep discomfort of not knowing—and how Buddhist teachings invite us to meet uncertainty with compassion rather than panic. Through reflections on groundlessness, faith ( śraddhā ), and the Middle Way, this episode offers gentle guidance for living in the ques...

Send us Fan Mail You’re collecting a paycheck, but secretly polishing your resume. Is that dishonest—or just practical? In this episode, we explore the ethical tension of job hunting while still employed through a Buddhist lens. We’ll look at the Middle Way between guilt and justification, Right Intention, and the liminal space of bardo—the in-between state where clarity often begins. If you’ve ev...

Send us Fan Mail You started with a shared vision—but now the path is splitting. What happens when you and your business partner no longer want the same things? Do you push forward, part ways, or try to realign? In this episode, we explore the discomfort of diverging goals through a Buddhist lens—drawing on teachings about impermanence, attachment to outcomes, and relational clarity. You’ll hear r...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve done the work. You’ve earned the value. So why does asking for a raise feel so uncomfortable? In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight behind money, self-worth, and the fear of seeming “greedy.” Through the lens of Buddhist teachings on Right Livelihood, generosity ( dāna ), and the Middle Way, we explore: Why money talk triggers shame or scarcity How to separate con...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when someone you care about refuses to take care of themselves? It’s easy to feel helpless, angry, or convinced that love should mean compliance. In this episode, we explore the painful intersection of love and control—what we think it means to care, and what it actually means to let go. Drawing from Buddhist teachings on compassion, non-attachment, and the illusion...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself obsessing over someone you know you can’t have? Whether it’s a fleeting infatuation or a full-blown fantasy, The Crush dives into the sticky sweetness—and suffering—of unrequited desire. In this episode, we explore what Buddhism teaches us about craving, projection, and the stories we tell ourselves when the heart won’t listen to reason. With insight from the S...

Send us Fan Mail I’m tired of always doing the work—of being kind, thoughtful, and forgiving—especially when others don’t seem to care. In this episode, we explore the resentment that can build when you’re the one always trying, and what Buddhist teachings like the Simile of the Saw, the Eight Worldly Winds, and the Dhammapada say about staying true to yourself when the world feels unfair.

Send us Fan Mail What do we owe our parents when they can no longer care for themselves? In this episode of What Would Buddha Do? , I explore a deeply personal and often painful question: What are our responsibilities to aging parents, especially when the relationship has been difficult? Drawing from Buddhist teachings—and reflections from the 17th Karmapa—I share:  🌿 How Buddhism views the “debt...

Send us Fan Mail What does a good friend really look like? In this episode of What Would Buddha Do? , I answer a listener’s heartfelt question about navigating a long-term but unfulfilling friendship. Drawing on Buddhist teachings—specifically the Four Kinds of Good Friends —I explore: 🌿 How to recognize true, supportive friendships 🌿 The role habits and patterns play in shaping our relationship...

Send us Fan Mail How do you build a collaborative team when everyone sees things differently? In this episode of What Would Buddha Do? , I answer a real-world leadership question about resolving conflict between departments. Drawing on the Buddhist parable of The Blind Men and the Elephant , I’ll explore: 🐘 Why different perspectives create conflict—and opportunity 🐘 How ancient teachings can he...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 2 of 'What Would Buddha Do?', host Lena DiGenti addresses a heartfelt question from a listener about handling verbal and emotional abuse from a loved one with a drinking problem. Drawing from Buddhist teachings, particularly the narrative of 'The Buddha Rejects Abuse,' Lena explores how to navigate abusive situations by refusing to accept hostility,...

Send us Fan Mail What Would Buddha Do? - Finding Equanimity Amidst Family Conflict In the premiere episode of 'What Would Buddha Do?', host Lena DiGenti addresses a heartfelt question about dealing with an adult daughter's hostile behavior during family gatherings. Drawing on her expertise in Buddhist teachings and personal experiences, Lena offers wisdom on maintaining equanimity i...