The Free Radical Podcast #48 | Karma, Free Will, and the Problem of Evil — Adi Purusha, June 18, 2025
In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Vaishnava scholar and Hindu chaplain Adi Purusha, whose academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a focus on theodicy, Vedanta, and ethics. The conversation explores the problem of evil—how suffering can coexist with an all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing God—through the lens of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Topics include karma, the purpose of suffering, and how to approach these ideas without minimizing or justifying suffering. This episode complements a previous discussion with Christian theologian Thomas Jay Oord, showcasing diverse spiritual responses to divine justice and human pain. The podcast seeks dialogue, not doctrinal agreement, aiming to foster deeper understanding and love across differences.
https://youtu.be/XBodQVjsiC8
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The Free Radical Podcast #47 | The Art of Spiritual Direction — Fr. Cassian, June 4, 2025
In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha warmly welcomes Father Cassian, a Roman Catholic priest and Benedictine monk with a rich interspiritual background. A native of Southern California, Fr. Cassian was originally initiated into the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Vedantic tradition before returning to his Catholic roots and joining the Benedictine order in 2007. Ordained in 2013, he holds a Doctorate in Theology from the John Paul II Institute in Rome.
A lifelong student of world religions, Fr. Cassian is deeply committed to cross-traditional dialogue and friendship. In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation—recorded in person at Ananda Ashram in North Carolina—the two explore the nuances of spiritual direction, covering themes such as confession, celibacy, and the interplay of inner and outer authority.
Listeners are invited to join the table for this enriching exchange—and are encouraged to support the podcast by subscribing, sharing, and commenting to keep the dialogue alive.
https://youtu.be/HP1Nq9YNGZY
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The Free Radical Podcast #46 | Our Affectionate Guardians — B. B. Vishnu Swami, May 21, 2025
What happens when a physicist walks away from science to follow the path of devotion?
In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we meet Śrīla Bhakti Bhavan Vishnu Maharaj—a brilliant mind turned monk whose life journey bridges reason and revelation. From Los Angeles to South India, from laboratories to temples, his story is one of transformation, surrender, and unwavering faith.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KIJk8_wEzVM
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The Free Radical Podcast #45 | Can a Loving God Still Be Omnipotent — Thomas Jay Oord, 5/7/25
In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we dive into a rich and thought-provoking conversation with Christian theologian, philosopher, and author Thomas J. Ord. Known for his groundbreaking work in open and relational theology, Ord brings insight into topics such as divine omnipotence, the problem of suffering and evil, and the evolving nature of God. Together, we explore how love, freedom, and uncertainty shape our understanding of the divine—not from a place of cynicism, but from a deep loyalty to truth. If you're drawn to big questions about God, reality, and how theology can inform daily life, this episode offers a space for sincere exploration and dialogue.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ujwH6Pztcc
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THE FREE RADICAL PODCAST #44 | Art, Creativity & the Anatomy of Wonder — Lila Vrindavana 4/16/25
In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Lila Vrindavan Dasi—a visual artist, teacher, mentor, and yogini—whose life bridges the worlds of art and spirituality. Lila Vrindavan's journey began in Russian classical ballet and later transitioned into the visual arts, culminating in a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. Her deep engagement with mysticism, yoga, Ayurveda, and bhakti has informed both her creative and spiritual practices.
Lila Vrindavan is the founder of Luminous Arts, a sanctuary where artistic expression and sacred exploration come together through community and education. She leads global artist pilgrimages and facilitates an online Creative Liberation Residency to help artists deepen their practice and manifest their visions.
The conversation explores rich themes like the role of play and improvisation in life, the essence of wonder, and the idea of seeing both life and spirituality as artistic projects. Listeners are invited to a heartfelt, nourishing dialogue that celebrates creativity as a sacred path.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XAgCymLkQo4?si=bH0bLRqwgIdE9Vuf
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The Free Radical Podcast is a creative encounter among like-minded and like-hearted spirits, regardless of their background or affiliation—or even non-affiliation. Following the call of our 21st Century spirituality, we embrace a trans-institutional commitment to spirituality rather than an institutionalized version of it. It is not so much about the demarkation of buildings but the exploration of hearts, not so much about fitting in but about deeply belonging—not so much about mere holiness but about wholeness as well. And it is the freedom born in the fire of these shared hearts who deeply belong to a process of becoming fully whole, fully persons, that creates the sacred space to step into new ways of being, deeper ways of being, radical—to the core—ways of being….and being what?….Being fully integrated individuals, whose humanity contextualizes their spirituality.Swami Padmanabha is an author, monk, and spiritual mentor who has just published his second book, called "Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion."
The format of the podcast is not an interview as much as spontaneous exploration in dialogue, encouraging a multi-trait interdisciplinary method of approaching how we understand something—of looking at it from different angles and perspectives. We don’t expect to agree on everything with each person, but we do expect to use our differences as a way to approach each other, rather than an excuse for further distancing. The time has come to let down the draw bridges and learn how to deeply relate with ourselves, each other, and the world in meaningful ways. This experience of mutual enlightenment can be also called “Collective Introspection.” This joint reflection is probably “the highest form of worship and communion. Restricted to the individual, this power of reflection remains limited and rudimentary. It is only in connection to kindred spirits that we can discover our own depth and wholeness. In other words, the deepest form of reflection can be developed only in communion with others. It is essentially a social phenomenon.” (excerpt from Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion”).
The Free Radical Podcast attempts to invoke sacred space and sacred conversation through deep expressive exchanges with like-minded souls with whom we share one same purpose in mind and heart, that purpose being to align our lives with the loving will of the Sweet Absolute, and to compassionately point to those things that need to be addressed for that miracle to continue happening in each of us.
Please join the conversation. It won’t be the same without you.
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