Awakening From the Mechanical Self | Free Radical Podcast #65 | Theodore Nottingham 3/4/26

🌿 This episode holds some very tender terrain, including the loss of a child to suicide. If this is close to your heart, we invite you to listen at your own pace, honoring whatever arises within you. If needed, you might set it down and return when the time feels right.🌿 With that in mind, we invite you into a deeply moving and quietly evocative conversation on the Free Radical Podcast with award-winning poet, teacher, and speaker Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. A lifelong writer and co-host of "Emerging Form", Rosemerry has been devoted to the daily practice of poetry since 2006—a steady ritual that became a lifeline following the loss of her teenage son in 2021. In this intimate and expansive episode, Rosemerry opens a doorway into her creative path, her daily poems from "A Hundred Falling Veils," and her audio series "The Poetic Path." Drawing from her celebrated collections "All the Honey" and "The Unfolding," and her work as Poet Laureate for Evermore, she invites us into the subtle terrain where grief softens into wonder, where language becomes a bridge, and where the ordinary shimmers with quiet revelation. Together, we wander through questions of how to live and create in the face of the unknown—how to listen more deeply, to trust what unfolds, and to meet life with a courageous, open heart. This is a conversation that moves like a current beneath the surface, weaving loss and beauty, vulnerability and presence, into something both tender and enduring. Tune in, take a breath, and step into a space where poetry becomes a way of being—and where each moment holds the possibility of meaning, connection, and quiet transformation. 👉 Connect Further with Bhakti Lalita deviYT: https://www.youtube.com/user/BhaktiLalitaDDFB: https://www.facebook.com/BLalitaDDIG: https://www.instagram.com/bhakti_lalita_devi https://youtu.be/hmNwjgIAjSQ ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we sit in sacred conversation with Bhakti Lalita Devi (Goh Diwajnavi) — teacher, author, and pilgrim of the heart within the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage. A devoted disciple of Srila Bhaktisundar Govinda Maharaj, the Acharya of Sri Caitanya Sarasvat Math, she spent nearly two decades in India in intimate service to her Gurudeva, acting as his personal correspondent secretary and absorbing the subtle currents of devotion that flowed through his presence. In 1996, in a gesture both tender and revolutionary, her guru offered her the sacred saffron brahmachari cloth — a first for a woman in their lineage — and bestowed upon her the name Bhakti Lalita Devi, sealing her life in dedication to divine love. Now residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand, she moves between continents as a quiet emissary of grace — encouraging hearts, steadying faith, and sharing the inner culture of bhakti-yoga as a living, breathing path of transformation. In this episode, we explore the feminine heart of bhakti — its softness and strength, its surrender and sovereignty. Bhakti Lalita Devi speaks of her journey with her Gurudeva, of life in sacred community, of love as service, and of devotion as an ever-unfolding revelation. What emerges is not merely philosophy, but a transmission — a glimpse into a spirituality that is relational, embodied, and deeply personal. We invite you to enter this contemplative dialogue — a meeting of hearts, a meditation in conversation, an ongoing dance with reality itself. Thank you for being part of this ongoing conversation. 👉 Connect Further with Bhakti Lalita deviYT: https://www.youtube.com/user/BhaktiLalitaDDFB: https://www.facebook.com/BLalitaDDIG: https://www.instagram.com/bhakti_lalita_devi https://youtu.be/hmNwjgIAjSQ ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

Enter into a sacred conversation at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and living awakening. In this luminous gathering on the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes author, mystic, and Fourth Way teacher Theodore Nottingham for a meeting that feels less like an interview and more like a recognition between kindred souls. With over four decades devoted to the inner path—and author of more than 30 books, including The Spiritual Origins of the Fourth Way: Reuniting the Lost Fragments of a Sacred Teaching—Theodore brings the depth of a lifetime steeped in Christian mysticism and the transformative fire of conscious practice. Together, they wander into the holy terrain of mystery: the trembling edge between fear and intimacy, the sacred ache for the Divine, and the courage it takes to truly see oneself. From the stillness of self-observation to the living current of presence and attention, this dialogue invites us to remember what has been forgotten—to gather the scattered fragments of ancient traditions and rediscover their shared, radiant source. This is not merely a discussion, but an invocation: a call to return to the roots of spiritual life, to embrace the unknown, and to walk the pilgrim’s path with sincerity, vulnerability, and wonder. If your heart longs for depth, authenticity, and the quiet fire of inner transformation, we invite you to step into this sacred exchange. Thank you for being part of this ongoing conversation. 👉 Connect Further with Ted NottinghamSite https://www.tednottingham.com/IG  @nottinghamted https://youtu.be/HDWyZooik6o ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this heart-opening episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha sits in warm, searching dialogue with renowned Vaishnava musician, author, and sincere seeker Bali Rico. Born in the United States to Colombian parents and raised partly in the sacred atmosphere of Mayapur, Bali’s formative years unfolded amidst ashram life, devotional sound, and the living rhythms of ancient India. As co-founder of the kirtan collective Mayapuris, his innovative mridanga playing helped shape what many now recognize as the “Mayapur sound”—dynamic, immersive, and communal at heart. But Bali’s artistry does not end in kirtan. A lyricist and multi-instrumentalist, his hip hop expression carries the pulse of a born percussionist—intricate in rhythm, philosophical in depth, and confessional in tone. His music becomes a space where protest and prayer meet… where social critique reveals hidden layers of grief, longing, and sacred vulnerability. In this rich exchange, Swami Padmanabha and Bali explore:✨ Kirtan as a social and spiritual phenomenon✨ The necessity of communion—and the realizations we cannot reach alone✨ Growing up in a religious family while meeting the outer world✨ Fatherhood and the inner shifts it awakens✨ Hip hop as sacred confession and emotional truth-telling✨ The dialogue between science and spirituality✨ Building a mature, relatable, and sustainable spiritual life informed by multiple disciplines What unfolds is more than conversation—it is a meeting of hearts, a weaving of sound, philosophy, culture, and lived experience into a shared inquiry on what it means to be human in devotion. Thank you for being part of this ongoing conversation. 👉 Connect Further with BaliFB / baliricoIG @bali.rico https://youtu.be/r6OdEsUcNmw?si=QN9NlyXTBbmaTjoi ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha is joined by Reverend Dr. Shaleen Kendrick—a mystic scholar, theologian, and minister to human evolution—whose work bridges ancient spiritual wisdom and contemporary neuroscience. Dr. Kendrick is the creator of the Neuro-Relational Integration (NRI) model, a framework for wholeness-making through mind-body-spirit integration. Drawing from neuro-theology, neuroscience, and lived spiritual practice, she explores how integration across our neural centers—mind (IQ), body (SQ), and spirit (RQ)—can transform reactive patterns into responsive wisdom and support conscious human evolution. Together, Swami Padmanabha and Dr. Kendrick engage in a rich, wide-ranging conversation touching on: The neurobiology of wholeness and shameJesus through a neuro-spiritual lensEvolution as an ongoing spiritual processWhat it means to be human in an age of technology and AISalvation as a lived, relational journey rather than a fixed endpoint This episode invites listeners to move from fragmentation to coherence, from survival to flourishing. 👉 Learn more about Dr. Shaleen Kendrick and her work at https://nrintegration.com/ https://youtu.be/FK9lxEhDMSw?si=xga60kojo1dgAvSa ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of The Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha sits down with award-winning filmmaker and longtime Gaudiya Vaishnava practitioner Ravi Chambers for a deep and heartfelt conversation about storytelling, faith, and spiritual identity. Ravi spent much of his twenties living as a monk, immersed in the philosophy and practices of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Today, as the founder of Be Inspired Films, he continues that same spiritual inquiry through the art of filmmaking—using story as a vehicle for transformation, social impact, and amplifying voices often left unheard. Together, Swami Padmanabha and Ravi explore how the stories we inherit—and the ones we tell ourselves—shape our spiritual lives. Their conversation touches on themes such as faith and over-idealization, institutions and guides, different stages of the inner journey, and the deeper myths that quietly structure our sense of reality. What unfolds is not just an interview, but an intimate, candid exchange between two friends—brothers on the path—meeting each other through curiosity, reverence, and honest inquiry. https://youtu.be/9ns7qgOh6y8?si=aER9X9Nznau7d8l4 ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of The Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha sits down with a dear friend and brother, Sanan—a servant leader, community builder, and deep listener whose presence speaks as powerfully as his words. Sanan has been walking a spiritual path since 1977, learning from a wide range of teachers and traditions. In 2009, he was guided to bring the grace he had received into lived, practical expression by moving to the Peruvian Andes. There, he founded and continues to lead a nonprofit service organization, including a school and multiple projects serving his village and surrounding Indigenous mountain communities. Together, Swami and Sanan explore what it means to return to village—not only as a social structure, but as an inner pattern of life: learning how to accompany one another through grief, love, and shared humanity. The conversation moves through themes of grief and mourning, the deeper meaning of love, and the subtle ways spirituality can become another mask if it is not embodied and honest. They reflect on Krishna—the sweetness of His name, His līlā, and how to connect with divine play in the here and now—while emphasizing a spirituality that is grounded, relational, and free from escapism or bypassing. At the heart of it all is a call to demonstrate love and dedication in the immediacy of daily life and real relationships. This is an invitation into an ongoing dialogue—between ourselves, with one another, and with reality itself. https://youtu.be/kz3Bs-J-uGg ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this Free Radical Podcast episode, Hari-kirtan, a seasoned yoga and meditation teacher, author, and long-time practitioner whose work bridges traditional wisdom and contemporary inquiry, joins us for an engaging conversation. Our dialogue centers on the intersection of bhakti and activism, exploring how spiritual life can respond meaningfully to our social and political moment. Together we delve into themes such as ethical engagement, the dynamics of non-cooperation, the constructive role of anger, joy as a form of resistance, and the place of grieving within a dharmic life. Pull up a seat at the table. Let the dialogue deepen you. https://youtu.be/ZldFNFaACSc ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we sit down with Kenneth (Harry) Oldmeadow—author, scholar, and lifelong explorer of the world’s wisdom traditions. Carried to India as a baby and raised there through his first decade, Oldmeadow’s early immersion in a tapestry of cultures and faiths helped shape a life devoted to understanding the world’s spiritual inheritances. His later studies in history, politics, literature, and cinema—along with extensive travel across Europe, North Africa, and the subcontinent—widened that horizon even further. With more than fifteen books, award-winning research, and decades of teaching behind him, he brings an entire library’s worth of perspective to the table. Together, we wander into the heart of perennialism: the possibility that an eternal, unchanging truth breathes through the world’s diverse spiritual forms. From the paradox of a reality that is at once timeless and ever-unfolding, to the role of myth, symbol, and art as gateways to the inner life, this conversation opens like a many-petaled mandala. We explore the dance between exoteric and esoteric knowing, the gifts and hazards of modernity, and the subtle places where traditions converge without losing their distinct contours. Underneath it all is a shared longing: to discover a common ground deep enough to honor real diversity. It’s a rich, warm, far-reaching dialogue—an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the wisdom traditions as living companions. Pull up a chair. Join the conversation. https://youtu.be/msftlS8gISg ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we continue our ongoing dialogue with reality—an ever-unfolding attempt to understand our place in the world and beyond it. Joining the conversation is Giri Govardhan Prabhu, whose journey in the Gaudiya tradition began in the early 1980s and has carried him through decades of service, reflection, and sincere inner search. In recent years, Giri Govardhan Prabhu has found himself in a familiar yet often unspoken space: a sense of spiritual stagnation. Rather than hiding it behind shame or guilt, he has taken it as an invitation for honest inquiry—a call to unlearn, relearn, and rediscover the heart of his practice. Together, we explore: • How to navigate spiritual plateaus without fear, shame, or self-blame• The hidden misconceptions that quietly shape our devotional lives• How to normalize experiences we often stigmatize• The art of rebooting our spiritual journey with clarity, humility, and purpose• Why deconstruction, when done with love, becomes an act of deeper construction Welcome to the conversation—an ongoing, never-ending dialogue with reality itself. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MgkcaXzFNZg ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE