Speaking of Meditation (Michael Miller)
Explore every episode of Speaking of Meditation
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jul 2023 | Tim Spector, Doctor, Writer, Zoe App Founder — Speaking of Meditation | 00:45:27 | |
Today I’m talking with Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London. He’s an award-winning scientist and author, with over 1,000 original articles published in some of the world’s top scientific journals — placing him in the top 1% most-cited scientists on the planet. Tim leads the world’s largest identical twins study, TWINS UK, and stemming from this wrote a best-selling book Identically Different, which makes understanding genetic traits and how our environment impacts our genes, easy for anyone. He then wrote The Diet Myth and introduced the importance of the gut microbiome for human health. This expertise has now expanded into the Zoe App, a tool for testing your biome and blood sugar levels and then personalising your dietary intake. During the pandemic, Tim pivoted the Zoe App to collect data on Covid-19. Tim and his data scientists mapped and analysed symptoms and positive cases, leading to the largest study in the world with over 2 million active participants. His latest book, Food for Life… takes an in-depth look at all the latest scientific evidence on what we eat, how we eat, and why; and how we can use this knowledge to improve our own personal nutrition. Tim learned to meditate in 1976 and has continued as a regular meditator ever since. I met Tim and his wife Veronique in December 2021. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Tim. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 19 Jan 2023 | Lisa Allardice, Book Reviewer, Editor — Speaking of Meditation | 00:45:07 | |
Today I talk with Lisa Allardice. As chief books writer at the Guardian and Observer, Lisa was tasked with reviewing Jillian Lavender’s book Why Meditate? Because it Works. As it turns out, our meditation course had been recommended to her by a yoga teacher and she had been (as she puts it) “stalking our social media” for several years. Lisa learned Vedic Meditation from Jillian in November 2021 and then wrote a glowing review of the book and the course that was published in January 2022. As a result, dozens upon dozens of people have come to learn. I chat with Lisa about her journey of personal development, how Vedic Meditation compares to other modalities she has practiced, and how she manages to fit meditation into her busy professional and family life. So speaking of meditation, here’s Lisa. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired?
----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 13 Jul 2023 | Sarah Lyall, Journalist — Speaking of Meditation | 00:48:44 | |
Today I’m speaking with Sarah Lyall. Sarah was raised in New York City and lived in London for nearly two decades. She was the London correspondent for the New York Times for 18 years. She continues to work for the Times, covering a wide range of topics including sports, culture, media and international affairs. Recently she has covered the coronation of King Charles and written a feature on the psychologist Esther Perel. Sarah learned Vedic Meditation in November of 2016. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Sarah. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 02 Mar 2023 | Lucy Beresford, Author, Psychotherapist, Presenter — Speaking of Meditation | 00:42:15 | |
Today I’m in conversation with Lucy Beresford. She’s an author, a psychotherapist, a radio host, and a television presenter. Her TEDx talk “Infidelity: to stay or to go?” has been viewed on You Tube over 2 1/2 million times. Lucy is also the founder of The Kindness Club, with its award-winning Refuge for Books scheme, creating libraries in shelters run by the domestic violence charity Refuge. Lucy’s specialty is Sex and Relationships and she has provided psychological insights for the BBC, CNN and iTV, just to name a few. In 2016 she learned Vedic Meditation having been connected to us by one of our students. So speaking of meditation, here’s Lucy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 27 Feb 2025 | Sophie Dear – How Meditation Helped Me Break the Burnout Cycle | 00:45:06 | |
About Sophie Dear Sophie Dear is a self-worth and relationship coach and a yoga teacher. After working in high-pressure TV production, she experienced severe burnout, insomnia, and anxiety. Seeking balance, she trained as a yoga teacher, but soon realized she was falling into the same patterns of exhaustion. Her journey took her to Bali, where she began a deeper exploration of self-worth, boundaries, and healing. Learning Vedic Meditation in 2019 became a turning point in her transformation. Now, she helps others move beyond burnout and build healthy, fulfilling relationships. We discuss: • Sophie’s early career in TV and how stress led to burnout • The connection between insomnia, anxiety, and overwork • Why quitting a stressful job didn’t automatically fix things • How meditation helped her shift from burnout to self-worth • The difference between neediness and having your needs met in relationships • Why so many people struggle with boundaries—and how to set them • The role of meditation in emotional resilience and personal growth Sophie says: 💬 “I thought I was broken. But it wasn’t me—it was the way I was pushing myself.” 💬 “Meditation helped me stop trying to fix everything and actually change.” 💬 “Your self-worth shouldn’t depend on other people’s validation.” 💬 “So many of us think we’re being selfless by saying yes to everything—but it’s really a lack of boundaries.” Links & Resources 🔗 Learn more about Sophie Dear 🔗 Join a Free Intro Talk on Meditation ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 27 Mar 2025 | Marie Farenc – Meditation, Vision Loss & Finding Strength in Stillness | 00:37:08 | |
Marie Farenc: Meditation, Vision Loss & Finding Strength in Stillness Guest Bio Marie Farenc is a former film translator and voiceover artist whose life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with myopic macular degeneration (MMD). Facing vision loss, stress, and anxiety, she turned to meditation in search of relief. What she found was more than just calm—it was a new way of living. Now, Marie shares her journey of resilience through her YouTube channel, I Have MMD, and helps build a support network for others navigating vision loss.
• Marie’s journey from film translator to MMD advocate • How stress and anxiety impacted her condition • The moment she realized she needed a change • How meditation transformed her mental and emotional state • The ripple effects of meditation on her family and relationships • Creating a YouTube channel to share her story and support others
Notable Quotes 💬 “Meditation didn’t just help me—it found me.” 💬 “I was an emotional mess. Now, my husband says I’m the most stable I’ve ever been.” 💬 “At first, I couldn’t even look at other people’s stories about vision loss. Meditation helped me accept mine.” 💬 “Despite losing my sight, I’ve gained something deeper—a sense of inner clarity.”
Links & Resources 🔗 Marie’s YouTube Channel: I Have MMD 🔗 Marie’s Instagram (Little Crochet) Timestamps • 00:00 – Introduction to Marie’s story • 04:30 – How a childhood obsession with English led to a career in translation • 10:50 – The diagnosis that changed everything • 17:40 – Meditation enters the picture: what finally made it click • 24:00 – The shift in Marie’s mental state and its impact on her family • 30:15 – Sharing her journey online: why she started her YouTube channel • 36:00 – Finding acceptance, strength, and a new sense of purpose ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 29 Jul 2021 | Roz Barr, Architect — Speaking of Meditation | 00:33:12 | |
I’m really excited for you to hear this pod with Roz Barr. She is director of the eponymous Roz Barr Architects and has most recently been acclaimed for her work on St Augustine’s church in London, for which she won a Royal Institute of British Architects award. In the RIBA journal, her work was described like this: "Subtle restoration, combined with beautiful and accomplished detailing and the addition of exquisitely crafted sacred elements, has transformed a mediocre building into a place with a transcendental quality, expressed through the human effort of making simple things very special." Roz has been meditating for more than a decade. In our conversation, we go into the reasons she learned, how her personal history led her to her work and to meditation, and how her practice feeds her creativity. Enjoy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 01 May 2025 | Eddie Stern — Spirit Over Form: Yoga’s Evolution for a Living Tradition | 00:43:22 | |
About Eddie Stern Eddie Stern is a yoga teacher, author, researcher, and community activist based in New York City. A long-time student of Pattabhi Jois, Eddie helped bring Ashtanga Yoga to a global audience, but over time shifted his focus toward devotional practice, mantra, breathwork, and the deeper spiritual currents behind yoga. He is the creator of the Breathing App and founder of Manhattan’s first vedically consecrated Ganesh temple. Eddie’s work bridges ancient wisdom with modern science, making inner practices accessible for a new generation.
Key Topics Covered Eddie’s early spiritual awakening and his influential high school teacher First trip to India and the slow process of cultural immersion Training with Pattabhi Jois and the deep dive into Ashtanga Yoga The tension between tradition, evolution, and authenticity in yoga Moving beyond physical practice toward breath, mantra, and ritual Eddie’s reflections on breaking from lineage without losing reverence Founding a Vedic temple in Manhattan and embracing a Hindu identity How slow, resonant breathing can transform health — and life Advice for seekers starting their spiritual journey today
Notable Quotes 💬 “You need to spend a little time each day attending to the invisible part of yourself.”
Timestamps 00:03 — Introduction to Eddie Stern and his journey 02:50 — Eddie’s early spiritual awakening in high school 06:50 — First experiences traveling and studying in India 11:00 — From Shivananda Yoga to Ashtanga Yoga 14:00 — The ripening process: why we change only when ready 19:10 — Breaking from guru structures and lineage identities 24:00 — The evolving nature of yoga traditions 30:00 — Founding a Vedic temple in Manhattan 34:30 — Breathwork, health, and the creation of the Breathing App 38:40 — Eddie’s personal meditation and ritual practices 40:55 — Advice for people beginning their spiritual journey
Links and Resources Healing Through Breathing on Audible One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga Urban Yogis — Yoga and Meditation for Underserved Communities London Meditation Centre — Learn Vedic Meditation
----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 30 Jun 2021 | Trailer — Speaking of Meditation | 00:01:15 | |
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Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with
direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae.
Original music by Rich Jacques.
https://www.richjacques.com
Graphics by Elle and Elle.
http://www.elleelle.com
Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And
how are you staying inspired?
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| 10 Apr 2025 | Joh Jarvis — Letting Go, Starting Over, and Teaching Meditation in Prisons | 00:50:10 | |
Joh Jarvis — Letting Go, Starting Over, and Teaching Meditation in Prisons Guest Bio Joh Jarvis is a former senior executive media producer and journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, where she led current affairs programs and large teams of content makers. After a 23-year career in media, she became a teacher of Vedic Meditation and moved to New York in 2015 to teach full-time. In 2021, she founded The Light Inside, a nonprofit delivering meditation programs to incarcerated people and correctional staff across the U.S. Her work includes programs at Rikers Island, the North Dakota State Penitentiary, and other correctional facilities, helping hundreds discover calm, connection, and purpose from within.
Key Topics Covered • Joh’s early spiritual intuition and resistance to conventional paths • Her media career, personal struggles, and turning point after loss • The impact of meditation on her recovery and reinvention • Moving to New York at 49 and starting a new life • Founding The Light Inside and teaching in maximum-security prisons • How incarcerated people respond to meditation—and transform through it • What it means to bring softness, freedom, and humanity into hard places
Notable Quotes 💬 “I didn’t realize what I was looking for in drugs and alcohol was a spiritual experience.” 💬 “Meditation uncovered something in me I didn’t know existed—spontaneous joy.” 💬 “You don’t want to feel soft in here… but that’s what meditation gave me.” 💬 “What made me feel good wasn’t just valuable—it was critical.”
Links & Resources 🔗 Watch: Joh Jarvis & Meditation Inside Rikers Island (YouTube) 🔗 The Light Inside – Learn More or Donate 🔗 Learn to Meditate – London Meditation Centre
Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Joh Jarvis and her work bringing meditation into prisons 06:40 – Coming out, intuition, and learning not to care what people think 14:05 – Grief, addiction, and the breakdown that led to real change 21:20 – Discovering Vedic Meditation—and a surprising first teacher 24:00 – “I’ve never felt like this”: a radical inner shift after learning to meditate 39:00 – Moving to New York at 49: two suitcases, no safety net, full reset 45:10 – Founding The Light Inside and entering Rikers Island 51:30 – A student’s transformation: “I feel soft—and that’s dangerous in here” 59:20 – What drives her now: feeling useful, staying connected to purpose ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 08 Dec 2022 | Jeff Kober, Actor, Meditation Teacher — Speaking of Meditation | 00:44:27 | |
Today I’m speaking with Jeff Kober. Jeff was born in Montana and found his way to Los Angeles in his 20’s where he discovered acting. You may have seen him recently as usually dark or twisted characters on The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Shameless, New Girl and NCIS: Los Angeles. In 2022 he won the daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on the American soap General Hospital. Jeff also has undertaken a life-long spiritual search that led him to Vedic Meditation in 2003. He and I learned to meditate in this technique around the same time and became good friends. We spent many hours meditating together, traveling to India, and undertook a 3.5 month teacher training programme together. Alongside his acting work, he is one of the most in-demand meditation teachers in LA. He is also a writer, a photographer, an acting teacher, and a father. So speaking of meditation, here’s Jeff. ***** Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 29 May 2025 | Victoria Spicer — Resonance Over Hype: Intuition, Integrity, and the Power of Retreat | 00:53:04 | |
About Victoria Spicer Victoria is a pioneer in wellbeing and travel, and the co-founder of the Global Retreat Company. With a 40-year career spanning high-end PR and conscious business development, she’s helped shape the global retreat landscape by supporting authentic, purpose-driven destinations like Ananda in the Himalayas and the original Mayr Clinic. Known for her intuitive insight, anti-jargon style, and commitment to integrity, Victoria remains a trusted voice in the world of holistic wellbeing. She’s also a longtime Vedic Meditator, and chairs Indigo Eight, a communications agency amplifying values-led businesses in travel and health.
Key Topics Covered How Victoria helped shape the global wellness and retreat industry The evolution from luxury PR to purpose-led communications Meditation as a tool for grief, clarity, and creative direction Her early experience with TM and reconnection through Vedic Meditation What it means to lead with intuition in business The power of retreats as modern medicine Thoughts on wellness language, hype vs. resonance, and doing less better Her vision for the Global Retreat Company and the future of retreating
Notable Quotes 💬 “Resonance — that’s how we decide which clients to take on now. Not how big their brand is.” 💬 “The wellness industry didn’t exist when I started. We built it — quietly, intuitively, and without hype.” 💬 “India is medicine. Just being there is enough.” 💬 “When I was diagnosed with cancer, I knew — this isn’t what’s going to take me out. It’s a message.”
Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Victoria’s path from luxury PR to wellness pioneer 09:00 – Working with Régine, nightclub queen of the ’80s 10:00 – Launching a travel PR firm with no formal training 13:00 – Early wellness clients: the Mayr Clinic and Ananda 16:00 – Meditation, loss, and reconnecting with practice 21:00 – Grief, resilience, and how meditation helped 24:00 – India as a place of deep transformation 28:00 – Leaving the big agency world and founding Indigo Eight 34:00 – Building Global Retreat Company during Covid 37:00 – Why retreats are essential in the modern world 40:00 – On integrity, purpose, and doing business differently 44:00 – Final reflections: why she continues to share meditation
Links & Resources
----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 16 Feb 2023 | India Sehmi, Photographer, Writer, Lifestyle Influencer — Speaking of Meditation | 00:37:17 | |
Today I’m speaking with India Sehmi. She learned Vedic Meditation in August of 2019. India works in the lifestyle influencer space. Until recently, she was with a digital marketing platform that connected influencers with brands and advised on those relationships. She now works freelance, as an influencer herself. Her Instagram @theindiaedit spans fashion, interiors, travel, wellness, food, and beauty. In addition to creating content on Instagram, India uses her photography skills shooting for brands and hotels. She also writes, presents and has featured on a number of other podcasts. Follow India here — https://www.instagram.com/theindiaedit/ So Speaking of Meditation, here’s India. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 13 Mar 2025 | Suzanne Duckett — Why Wellness Needs Less Spin and More Substance | 00:49:58 | |
About Suzanne Duckett Suzanne Duckett has been shaping the wellness and beauty conversation for nearly three decades. As the former Beauty Director of Cosmopolitan and Editor of the Tatler Spa Guide, she’s been at the forefront of the industry—watching wellness evolve from a niche pursuit to a trillion-dollar business. A regular contributor to The Telegraph and The Times, she’s also the author of Bathe: The Art of Finding Rest, Relaxation, and Rejuvenation in a Busy World. Now, she’s the founder of Onolla.com, an online marketplace and pop-up concept store that curates natural, sustainable, and effective beauty and wellness products. Suzanne learned Vedic meditation in 2017, and it became the foundation of her well-being.
Key Topics Covered • The commercialization of wellness—what’s real and what’s marketing spin • Suzanne’s shift from reporting on wellness to leading conversations about it • How meditation became her foundation for true well-being • The challenges of editorial integrity in a corporate-driven industry • The weirdest (and most transformative) wellness treatments she’s experienced • Why meditation works when so many wellness trends fall short
Notable Quotes 💬 “I was so tired of being tired. Meditation gave me the deep rest I’d been searching for.” 💬 “You can put a Buddha statue in the corner, but that doesn’t make it a spiritual experience.” 💬 “The wellness industry grabbed the land, but meditation is the real foundation.” 💬 “People don’t need more wellness trends—they need something that actually works.”
Links & Resources • Suzanne’s website: Onolla.com • Suzanne’s book: Bathe: The Art of Finding Rest, Relaxation, and Rejuvenation • Suzanne’s podcast – The Duckett List: Listen here • Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @duckettlist • Learn Vedic Meditation with Michael & Jillian: LondonMeditationCentre.com
Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Suzanne Duckett and her career in wellness journalism 02:00 – How Suzanne met Deepak Chopra and her early insights into holistic health 06:00 – The evolution of the wellness industry—what’s changed in the last 30 years 12:00 – Beauty as a gateway to deeper well-being 16:00 – The rise of corporate wellness (and what’s missing) 24:00 – The strangest wellness treatments Suzanne has tried 29:00 – Discovering Vedic Meditation and how it transformed her life 35:00 – Why meditation is different from other wellness trends 42:00 – The importance of curating real, effective wellness experiences 47:00 – Final thoughts on the future of well-being and personal transformation
----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 21 Apr 2022 | Laurie Keith, VP of Media — Speaking of Meditation | 00:43:22 | |
I’m very happy to share this conversation. I met Laurie over 10 years ago at the Do Lectures in California … How and when she learned to meditate really illustrates the way meditation supports people in tuning into their intuition and gaining clarity when making big life changes. For Laurie a significant example of this was when she came with us to India on a retreat and the resulting clarity and trust that emerged before some major life transitions. She also goes into how her practice helped her to shift patterns in her relationships and find a partner who is now her husband. In the interview, she’s pregnant and talks about the feeling of meditating with a baby inside. Laurie is a real inspiration, and she’s found a way to make meditation a part of her life and inspire others to learn (though she’s careful to wait until they are interested!) So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Laurie. Enjoy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 15 May 2025 | Ahmed Hallajian — Reinvention, Restlessness, and the Clarity to Change Direction | 00:43:14 | |
About Ahmed Hallajian Ahmed Hallajian is a born and bred Londoner working in the entertainment industry. After graduating from the London School of Economics, Ahmed began a career in auditing at the National Audit Office, but quickly realized the path wasn’t for him. He pivoted into self-development content on YouTube, then into software engineering, landing a job at Amazon. Yet something still felt misaligned. In 2024, he learned Vedic Meditation — a turning point that helped clarify what truly mattered. Today, Ahmed channels his curiosity and creativity into storytelling, while continuing to explore the evolving nature of self, purpose, and personal clarity.
Key Topics Covered Why Ahmed kept changing careers — and what he was really searching for The surprising influence of Seinfeld and celebrity on his openness to meditation How Vedic Meditation helped relieve a low-grade fog he hadn’t even recognized The difference between coping and clarity, and what changed after learning Letting go of tech and finding a more aligned, people-focused path How meditation shifted his phone habits, screen time, and social energy The challenge of keeping up meditation while traveling with non-meditators A modern take on spirituality and how Ahmed talks about meditation with friends
Notable Quotes 💬 “There was life before and life after. I’m still adjusting to what my preferences are — what kind of person I am.” 💬 “I always had a sense of what I didn’t want. Meditation gave me clarity about what I do want.” 💬 “It didn’t feel like me changing habits. It just happened — like a signal I could finally hear.” 💬 “Meditation doesn’t make you wise. It just helps you notice what actually matters.” 💬 “I’m not better than anyone, but I’m more in touch with what brings me joy.”
Timestamps 00:03 — Introducing Ahmed Hallajian and his unconventional career journey 03:20 — Growing up with Seinfeld and early influences toward meditation 06:40 — Struggling at work and the turning point that led to learning 10:45 — The experience of learning to meditate and immediate after-effects 14:30 — From anxious stagnation to clarity and mental lightness 17:20 — Changing his relationship with tech, screen time, and presence 20:00 — How others noticed the change before he did 24:10 — Leaving Amazon and shifting into a more social, creative career 28:30 — Rethinking introversion and discovering his true work preferences 32:00 — Staying consistent with meditation while traveling 36:15 — How he speaks about meditation with friends and why he doesn’t evangelize 39:00 — Practical vs. spiritual benefits — and what keeps him inspired
Links and Resources London Meditation Centre — Learn Vedic Meditation ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 11 May 2023 | Jesse Peretz, Filmmaker, Producer, Creator — Speaking of Meditation | 00:37:44 | |
Jesse Peretz started his artistic career as a musician, playing bass for seminal alternative rock band The Lemonheads and went on to direct music videos for other artists such as Foo Fighters, Jack Black and The Breeders. His feature film Juliet, Naked, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. His latest television project City on Fire, debuts on Apple TV in May. Jesse learned to meditate in 1986. We connected in 2012 when he wanted to re-engage with a regular practice and have stayed in touch over the last decade. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Jesse. City on Fire – Apple TV ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 23 Jun 2022 | Robert Hammond, High Line co-founder, Meditation Teacher — Speaking of Meditation | 00:52:03 | |
In this conversation with my good friend and Vedic Meditation teacher Robert, we spend some time exploring how growing up in Texas and his unique childhood experiences really set the stage for his creativity, his drive, and ultimately his transformative effect on Manhattan. He's also very open about his struggles with depression and self-doubt, even as he continued to meditate and experienced what most people would see as great success. The story of him coming through all that and being in a different place today is a moving one. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Robert. Enjoy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 31 Mar 2022 | Tausif Rahman, Tech Marketer — Speaking of Meditation | 00:41:41 | |
I’m excited to share this conversation with Tausif. He’s a university student who learned just before the pandemic kicked off. He then moved back to his native Bangladesh to be with family during lockdown. His story will have resonance for many people. He’s a guy in his late 20’s, studying and living in a big city away from family, and he started to feel the strain — some anxiety and depression, low self-esteem and insomnia. We talk about how, on the recommendation of his therapist, he overcame doubts and learned Vedic Meditation. The impact was immediate: he’s sleeping well, feeling less anxious, he’s more empathetic and doesn’t need to numb his emotions. His start with meditation was realistic and inspiring… He was inconsistent in the beginning, and it’s encouraging to hear how he got through that and committed to a daily practice. Tausif is so open about his struggle with the challenges of his mental health and how meditation brought him out the other side — he’s strong and positive and inspiring to others. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Tausif. Enjoy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 02 Sep 2021 | Yvette Robinson, Actress — Speaking of Meditation | 00:27:59 | |
Yvette shares her journey from naughty teenager in Perth (the most isolated city in the world) to London and starring in West End shows. She learned to meditate in 2004 on the advice of a friend, and it was a turning point for her. We really go into how it’s improved her confidence in herself, and how meditation got her through very challenging times. Yvette's enthusiasm and authenticity are infectious! So Speaking of Meditation... here’s Yvette. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 05 Aug 2021 | Lily Spicer, Press Officer — Speaking of Meditation | 00:34:25 | |
This conversation with Lily was really interesting for me. She's one of the younger people we've taught, and has been so committed to her practice over a long period. Though she's been on retreats and attended many events, we hadn't ever sat down and had a deep conversation. She shares what it's like for your whole family to be meditating, how practicing through Covid lockdown went for her, and how she's taking her resilience into the workplace. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Lily. Enjoy. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 30 Jun 2023 | Phillip Knatchbull, CEO, Film Producer and Distributor — Speaking of Meditation | 00:38:25 | |
Today I’m speaking with Philip Knatchbull. Since 2006, Philip has been CEO of Curzon, the UK’s leading independent film distributor and cinema operator. He had spent the previous ten years running Knatchbull Communications, a telecoms, media and technology investment fund. He’s a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and a patron of the London Film Festival. With a family background deeply connected to India, Philip came to Vedic Meditation in February of 2019 after a journey with other meditation practices. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Philip. https://www.curzon.com ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 05 Jan 2023 | Emma Gunavardhana, Podcaster, Writer, Brand Consultant — Speaking of Meditation | 00:52:22 | |
Today I'm speaking with podcaster and writer Emma Gunavardhana. She’s the host of the podcast The Emma Guns Show where she interviews celebrities, creators, editors and authors. The podcast launched in April 2016 and has been featured in Stylist, Metro and Cosmopolitan in print and The Coveteur and Get the Gloss online. Previously she was Beauty Editor at OK! magazine for a decade, where she interviewed industry experts, fashion designers and celebrities. Since going freelance in 2012 she has written for Red, Stylist, Sunday Times Style, Women's Health, Zest, Easy Living, The Telegraph, Get the Gloss, and many others. Emma is also a busy consultant for global beauty brands on product development, campaigns, celebrity endorsements and social media projects. Emma learned to meditate in January of 2022 after reading Jillian Lavender’s book Why Meditate Because it Works and has been an amazing advocate for meditation since. So speaking of meditation, here’s Emma. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Anna and James Burke, Artists and Business Owners — Speaking of Meditation | 00:43:37 | |
Anna and James learned together in January 2020 — what amazing timing! This is a great conversation about how meditation has enhanced their lives, including in their relationship, as creatives and business owners, in their ability to tap into something bigger and more universal and in their connection to the natural world. As busy parents of three young children and both running their own business, it’s inspiring to hear how meditation is at the center of their lives. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Anna and James ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 18 May 2023 | Renée Elliot, Founder of Planet Organic, Speaker, Author — Speaking of Meditation | 00:40:37 | |
On today’s pod I’m connecting with Renée Elliot. In 1995 Renée founded Planet Organic, the UK’s first organic supermarket, and changed the way the UK thinks about food. She challenged conventional retailing with a mission to promote health in the community and built a multi-million pound brand. With her consultancy Beluga Bean, Renée employs her 30 years’ experience in business and personal development to mentor start-ups and small businesses on purpose, resilience and strategy. And in her third business, Women Tree, she gathers groups of women to nourish, fulfill, empower and belong. Renée has been recognised as one of Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women, London’s 1000 Most Influential People, and Businesswoman of the Year. She is also the author of cutting-edge cookbooks, a prolific corporate and public motivational speaker and a full-on mother of 3. She has been meditating regularly since 1991. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Renée. Women Rising Retreat ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 10 Nov 2022 | Frank Lipman, Functional Medicine Expert — Speaking of Meditation | 00:43:54 | |
I met Frank in 2018 and taught him and his entire team to meditate. Since then we have stayed close and he has sent many of his patients along to learn. For almost 40 years, Frank has guided people to help them feel healthier, look great, and increase energy and resiliency to better deal with life’s stresses. After his initial medical training in South Africa, he spent 18 months working at clinics in the bush. In 1984 he emigrated to the US and became chief medical resident at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. During this time he began studying nutrition, acupuncture, herbal medicine, biofeedback, meditation, and yoga. He founded his own clinic, Eleven Eleven Wellness in 1992. As a leader in Functional Medicine, Frank practices what he calls Good Medicine; a blend of cutting-edge, modern modalities with age-old healing techniques from the East creating, together with the patient, a personal health care plan. This integrative approach takes into account physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. He is a New York Times best-selling author whose recent books include: Better Sleep, Better You: Your No-Stress Guide for Getting the Sleep You Need and the Life You Want How To Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life So speaking of meditation, here’s Frank. Enjoy.
Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 24 Nov 2022 | Annie Kelly, Human Rights Journalist — Speaking of Meditation | 00:48:22 | |
Today I’m speaking with journalist Annie Kelly. I met Annie in June of 2012 when she came along to learn Vedic Meditation. She has one of the toughest and most important jobs in journalism — she has worked as a freelance foreign correspondent, reporting on human rights and gender inequality around the world. For the Guardian newspaper she has led series on modern slavery and human trafficking, sex trafficking, labour exploitation, and gender-based violence in global supply chains. Annie is currently editor of the Guardian’s Rights and Freedom Project, overseeing reporting on global human rights. So speaking of meditation, here’s Annie.
Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 10 Aug 2023 | Megha Mohan, BBC Correspondent, Writer — Speaking of Meditation | 00:43:22 | |
Today I’m speaking with Megha Mohan. Megha learned Vedic Meditation in May of 2014. She is the BBC's first global Gender and Identity Correspondent. She covers issues concerning women's rights, LGBT communities, and race and ethnicity, for the BBC's 41 language services. Megha regularly appears on BBC News TV, the World Service and Radio 4. She has reported from six continents and secured interviews with Finland’s all-women coalition government and Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, as well as pop star Billie Eilish and actor Elliot Page. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Megha. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 02 Feb 2023 | Richard Stokes, Leadership Coach, Podcast Host — Speaking of Meditation | 00:50:41 | |
Today I'm connecting with Richard Stokes. Richard has a background in the intense world of advertising and media. He spent more than 20 years working for global brands and organisations at the board level, in the UK and around the world. Now he’s a Leadership Coach, Workshop Facilitator & also a Podcast Host. In this second career, Richard has found his purpose, working with clients 1-to-1 and in larger team settings. He specialises in advising people and organisations in navigating change — something he understands well having taken the leap into his own business. Richard learned Vedic Meditation in 2016 having witnessed the benefits his wife Danusia experienced. They now live in Ibizia with their young son. Richard's podcast is The Mojo Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mojo-podcast/id1486366382 So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Richard. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 12 Aug 2021 | Nathan Larson, Musician — Speaking of Meditation | 00:41:46 | |
Nathan has a fascinating history as a punk musician, a film composer, and a producer of alternative music festivals. In this pod we talk about his journey as an artist, finding his niche in Hollywood and how meditation makes him a better grunge rocker and a more present husband and father. Nathan's openness and curiosity are inspiring. So speaking of Meditation… here’s Nathan. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | Peter Magnani, Ad Executive, Founder of Beam app — Speaking of Meditation | 00:45:17 | |
Today I’m connecting with Peter Magnani. Peter had a long career as an executive in media and advertising, including senior roles in two “big 5” agencies — Interpublic and Omnicom. Alongside that success came a struggle with stress that in 2015 led him to learn Vedic Meditation. The change he experienced led to a fundamental shift in his focus, personally and professionally. This inspired him to found his own company and create Beam, a smart app that improves people’s mental, physical, and financial health. So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Peter. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||
| 15 Jun 2023 | Noomi Melchior Natan, Leadership Coach, Podcast Host — Speaking of Meditation | 00:48:34 | |
Today I’m speaking with Noomi Melchior Natan. Noomi is an experienced leadership coach, and host of the Female Inner Power podcast. She learned to meditate in 2008. For more than 15 years Noomi has coached leaders and business owners in more than 15 countries on how to overcome the blocks to success. She has worked with biotech start-ups, global multinationals, a fire service, and everything in between. She is particularly passionate about helping women escape the shadow of the good-girl persona, tap into their full power, and increase their impact in the world.
So Speaking of Meditation, here’s Noomi. ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Editing by James Green at Green Podcast Productions. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? ----- Speaking of Meditation is written and produced by Michael Miller, with direction by Jillian Lavender and assistance from Emma Rae. Original music by Rich Jacques. Graphics by Elle and Elle. Speaking of Meditation… What are you noticing? Who is benefitting? And how are you staying inspired? | |||