You can always count on some controversy in our candid talks, but this one’s relatively well contained on the subject.

This episode, Love Long and Prosper #137, is particularly funny — especially its title. We had lots of laughs and talked mostly about Trek. I’m so glad that I can participate on this fun podcast with good friends during my semi-annual pilgrimages to Phoenix.

It’s fun to be an active participant and near co-host for this podcast. For one thing, it’s an excuse for us to chat to the world and catch up on each other’s lives. It’s become more than a tradition; it’s just what we do.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

My favorite moment of this episode is when Dani issues me a Turkey Challenge: to hand-deliver the Thanksgiving bird to a local food bank or homeless shelter. The end result was charity — an online turkey donation to the Greater Boston Food Bank — and a step in the right direction during a time when giving is needed most.

I especially enjoyed this experience, since it was the first time I could spend a nice, long chunk of time with these folks (and it gave me an excuse to ride the Phoenix Light Rail from end-to-end). This particular episode also let me to demonstrate my geek cred during a Star Trek: TNG trivia contest with Kevin.

I highly recommend this podcast, as it combines the best features of the couplecast formula along with a healthy serving of geekery.

What I love most about this podcast (beyond its wonderful co-hosts) is its consistency. Even after 100 episodes, the same tone, candor, humor, and format proclaim that the greatest podcasts are those injected with personality. I look forward to someday appearing on Episode 200!

Religion is never a simple subject; we both reviewed our personal paths which have led us to our current, incredibly secular lives.  What we do is question — not deny or suggest we are correct — much along the lines of Bill Maher in his documentary.  This is probably our most serious chat to date, but there are bits that bring some levity to this heavy topic.

As always, we had a fantastic time talking Trek and the usual nonsense that accompanies having the three of us together in one place. Love Long and Prosper #111 is another hilarious romp of good friends in great company — an experience enhanced all the more by the death of Yar.

It’s always a riot when working with Evo Terra, his wife Sheila, and Debbie Walker — especially as I’ve been listening to this show over the past few months and really enjoying its humor. We had a great time recording Evo @ 11 #33 and I hope to some day make another appearance on this fun podcast.

This part of our conversation morphs into the larger discussion of equal rights — from which this topic ultimately spawns.  I look back fondly as we sat on the balcony of Hooters of Tempe, looking out on the main stretch of the ASU college town, philosophizing and cracking jokes set to the soundtrack of our lives.

The first part of our chat is captured in this episode. Considering the venue, and the episode number, we decided it was time to discuss feminism and gender issues. This talk encapsulates our camaraderie, combining comedy and some gravity around these hotbed topics.

On Love Long and Prosper #102, we focus on the event upon which my visit revolved: Phoenix Comicon.  My unique adventures included playing Rock Band with Wil Wheaton and hanging out with Aaron Douglas (of Battlestar Gallactica fame), among many delicious meals.

I continue to develop a place in the Phoenix social media community and really feel like it’s become a haven away from home.

We had an especially good time reflecting on the Fall television line-up, science fiction, video games, and life in general.  I found myself incredibly comfortable and in my usual “guest-mode,” discussing topics already on my mind, and look forward to another guest spot in the future.

Despite the fact that the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode we reviewed was terrible (a Season 1 episode entitled, “Lonely Among Us), we were still living off the high of Podcamp AZ — a tremendously successful event filled with great people and positive vibes.  Put the three of us together in a room and it’s audio magic.  I love all of these episodes I record when traveling, since they encapsulate the time and place of special moments in my life.

I enjoyed participating in this during my trip to fall trip to Arizona, described in greater detail in my Love Long and Prosper #95 summary.

This episode combines two very important, and extremely American, values: a hearty breakfast and a robust political talk.

This episode includes the perspective of an 11 year-old, as well as that of a supporter of Proposition 102 on the Arizona ballot. Truth Seekers is all about getting everyone’s view and this is a perfect example.

My audio is a bit off, but it’s worth the listen, since most of the talking comes directly from the bride and groom. It’s one of the more sentimental episodes I’ve recorded and a nice reflection on the unforgettable moments of June 29, 2008.

This was yet another enjoyable romp into the lives of my favorite New England family. I’m glad I can still have these weekend-long stays with friends I’ve known for well over a decade. There’s just something so familiar and friendly about being on this show — an extension of our usual banter encapsulated in audio form.

I’m still figuring out when might be a good time to visit South America, potentially as early as next year, to visit this quirky and enthralling country.

After another marathon meal (this time at the Grand Lux Cafe), we went back to my parents house to record Life On Tap #38, focusing mostly on what we ate just hours before.  It was strange and nostalgic to do a show in that room, especially on the eve of his matrimony.  I’m glad we had the chance to spend as much time together as we did and this show is evidence of our bond in friendship.

Life On Tap #37 chronicles this adventure after the fact, reflecting on a pre-concert Mexican feast and the music event itself. Our discussion captures the feeling of being young — even as we climb into our late twenties — of the excitement and spiritual vibe with which we associate this music. I hope it’s something we continue well into our thirties and beyond.

Love Long and Prosper #80 is both humor and alcohol-infused, a late night comedic effort on St. Patrick’s Day that serves as a time capsule into the happenings of March 2008.

It felt almost necessary for us to record together, given that the last time we did so was on another podcast of a whole different breed.

It’s especially easy for a professional podcast guest to appear on two episodes that result from a single recording session!

Our talk was both lengthy and fulfilling — so much so, that it spans two episodes!

Steve unfortunately fell ill on Christmas Day; rather than postpone the recording, he and Maureen were gracious enough to let me fill in for him.  Maureen and I have known each other for almost a decade, so our camaraderie is without question.  This was one of the most pleasant and hilarious experiences I’ve ever had on a podcast, and cherish this opportunity to have participated as an acting Couplecaster.

Before that, I vowed to return to the show for another taboo topic — the “sex” episode.  While altogether vague, this will likely focus on how sexuality is repressed by the media and government, perhaps in response to the religious undertones ruling this nation.

As an enormous Beatles fan — as I describe in this talk — it always pains me so to listen to their music and know how John meets his tragic end. To have the chance to speak about it on a politically-driven podcast really drives home the point of the limitlessness of our freedom.

Dani let me dominate the floor, sharing my perspective on the most popular theories, based on my research, visit to Dallas, and our thoughts on the JFK film.

I was looking forward to making appearance on this politically charged podcast for some time, so I was delighted with both the final product, and opportunity to converse with a true guru like Dani.

We recorded nearly 2 hours of content together, shaved down to a reasonable length, along with 4 songs of my choice — including a selection from Farewell Redemption, my buddy Jordan’s Long Island-based band.

This has to be one of my favorite podcast guest spots yet.

We were joined by our good friend, Frances (who attended Brandeis with us), for a four person romp that was a blast to record. I was delighted to be back on the show again, after having just guested two episodes prior.

This was one of the nicest ways to spend Maureen’s birthday and digest all of that Mexican food.

If more readings are needed, I am more than willing to contribute once again.  I am not familiar with any other projects akin to this one, but would certainly be open to lending my voice, wherever needed, to aid in the musings of an introspective soul.

Known as a sideman, contributing my blend of humor and human experience, I was able to step outside of my performative self and provide a calm, reasonable voice along a spiritual vein.

I would not call it a relief, but more of a refuge, outside of the norm.

As I have emphasized in previous, related posts, it is my interest in different religious perspectives and cultures that made this project so appealing to me.  The opportunity to share in the meditation of worldwide listeners is truly honorable.

I am hopeful that these lessons are followed and someone’s life is made better by them.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that my ten readings would appear over a ten day period on this blog.  Clearly, life and its traps prevented this yesterday.  I often must remind myself how necessary it is to step back and take a look at life around me.

A friend inspired my nightly walk, which forces me to leave the house, get to know my neighborhood, and let me be conscious of my health.

This was my first time on the show since the birth of Baby Bex.  I have been a faithful listener and was delighted when asked to join this couple during their Sunday recording session.  The show turned out incredibly well, as it always does, and I enjoyed my time in their company for the holiday.

You can imagine my delight when Greg Demetrick approached me again in June 2007 for another round of Buddhist meditation. Since I savored the project so much the first time around (in Fall 2006), I could not refuse another opportunity.

Things had changed in my life — I had relocated to the Boston area, purchased a home, and was living on my own for the first time. Needless to say, the title of this reading is rather fitting on a personal note.

This program features a separate feed for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, so that the meditations coordinate properly with the seasons. I enjoy the thought of people across the world utilizing this podcast to step away from their routines and focus within.

I plan to eventually do so myself and encourage you to subscribe to this exceptional program.

We never seem to devote the time necessary in studying other people and beliefs.  Moreso, taking the time just to appreciate the message of simple codas of life can revolutionize your day.

But this blog is not here to preach; I just want to share my work and why this project is important to me.

Even if you know nothing about Buddhism, this project is a great way to start a meditation program. Episodes are only several minutes in length and feature some top voices in podcasting. It was an honor and a pleasure to take part in this twice.

And it’s both fun and impressive to know that people all over the world meditated to the sound of my voice.

I was a V.I.P. Usher when the Dalai Lamai spoke at Brandeis University, my alma mater, in 1998. Following that, I was a member of Tibet House in New York City and attended their annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall several years in a row.

I have always been fascinated by Buddhism, so I leapt at this unique opportunity; I had the chance to do so again for a second round.

This first reading is called Readiness.

I will be posting all 10 readings, one each day, during the next 10 days.

Many have called it his best episode.

Maybe that’s just the English major in me.