Ep. 158 - Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Buddhist Socialism, and Standing (or Sitting) For Something

How did NYC become the epicenter of all the tensions and promise of American society and politics, and do the Buddhist teachings have anything to offer to understanding this political moment? Using the rise of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in his home city—a city of perpetual immigrants—Ethan explores themes of community engagement, sangha, social democracy and the power of standing up for what you believe in to talk about this chaotic (yet potent) moment on Earth. Please support the podcast via Substack and subscribe for free or with small monthly contributions. Additional links and show notes are available there . Paid subscribers will receive occasional extras like guided meditations , extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and a guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed a mindful take on intuition , and Ethan also offered instruction in the RAIN method for working with emotions with self-compassion . These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods ( Apple , Ethan's Website , etc). Subscribe now Find out about the 2026 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program at this link! Check out about upcoming free live events like a panel on Mindfulness and Holiday Stress Nov 12 , a live talk with Ethan and Dan Harris December 10 , and a live talk with Ethan and Roshi Joan Halifax January 6th ! A new free video course on a classic Buddhist contemplation called The Five Remembrances is available at this link . Find out about the 2026 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program at this link! Check out all the cool offerings at our podcast sponsor Dharma Moon , including a free webinar with David Nichtern on the new Advanced Teacher training on November 20 . Free video courses co-taught by Ethan and others, such as The Three Marks of Existence , are also available for download at Dharma Moon . Subscribe now Ethan's most recent book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life's Eight Worldly Winds was just awarded a gold medal in the 2025 Nautilus Book Awards. You can visit Ethan's website to order a signed copy. Please allow two weeks from the time of your order for your copy to arrive.