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Podula Rasa podcast

Podula Rasa podcast

By Dave Blank and Jim Esch

Two friends who grew apart in time and space, are bridging the distance and exploring by means of open conversation the space between, where impressions are received, seeds planted, and significance found. Starting with the blank slate, we move from nothing to something. And you are a part of that story. Maybe something flavorful, essential, and inspiring will be perceived in the space between us and you.
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Show 3: meditation

Podula Rasa podcastJun 04, 2020

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21:03
Season 5, episode 10: Vision Quest

Season 5, episode 10: Vision Quest

What are vision quests and how can they help you? Dave talks about his vision quest experience in the early 1990's.


Oct 29, 202324:02
Season 5, episode 9: Finding balance

Season 5, episode 9: Finding balance

In our September 2023 show, we share meditation updates, discuss recent music we've been diving into, and share two songs from the Thom Williams archives.

Sep 23, 202322:30
Season 5, episode 8: August updates

Season 5, episode 8: August updates

Dave and Jim discuss some August news and sundry tidbits: Dave's new dog, a new chapter beginning in Vermont, Tim Horton's, and the exploitation of adjunct instructors.

Aug 26, 202322:03
Season 5, episode 7: The Creative Act and the art of living

Season 5, episode 7: The Creative Act and the art of living

Jim and Dave share their reactions to Rick Rubin's new book: The Creative Act: A Way of Being.

Jul 21, 202325:07
Season 5, episode 6: Circles of Time
Jun 02, 202334:43
Season 5, episode 5. Connecting Light: a tribute to Frank. B. Ford
May 07, 202325:08
Season 5, episode 4: Adventures in Italy

Season 5, episode 4: Adventures in Italy

Dave reports on his recent family trip to Italy. Plus a special cameo from our biggest fan!


Apr 29, 202324:13
Season 5, episode 3: Chatting about ChatGPT

Season 5, episode 3: Chatting about ChatGPT

Dave and Jim discuss the ominous implications of ChatGPT, then move on to Yogis, the Upanishads, Ralph Waldo Emerson's Journals, Dave's encounter with a Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew live show, Jim's trance-inducing encounter with Shostakovitch's 4th symphony, and Dave's upcoming trip to Italy. 

Mar 09, 202326:22
Season 5, episode 2

Season 5, episode 2

In February's episode, Jim and Dave provide meditation updates, discuss  the Morning Pages journaling technique, Jim and Stacy's friend Tom Reed,  the Police, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, and Stevie Ray Vaughn among  others, more Aldus Huxley, and good reasons for quitting Twitter!  We  hope that you enjoy.

Feb 15, 202322:30
Season 5, Episode 1: New Beginnings

Season 5, Episode 1: New Beginnings

Dave and Jim do a post-mortem on Season 4 and talk about recent encounters in books and music, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Aldous Huxley, Half Zaftig, Steely Dan, and Mahler.

Jan 06, 202322:16
Summer updates: Season 4, episode 3

Summer updates: Season 4, episode 3

Dave and Jim catch up on summer developments. They discuss Dave's new house, Jim's meditation anxiety, Aldous Huxley, Meghan O'Gieblyn, Jethro Tull, and Gene Clark.

Aug 07, 202219:10
Astrology and Friendship. Season 4, episode 2
Jun 26, 202240:27
A New Format

A New Format

After a hiatus, Dave and Jim launch a new format for Season 4. Listen to updates on their meditation practice and current events in their lives. Bonus links: InsightTimer is a meditation app we both use and like a lot. In the episode, you'll hear discussion of Astral Travel - Theta Binaural Beats, a one hour music meditation that sent Jim to some strange new places. Try it yourself!

May 23, 202221:45
Season 3. Episode 6 Leah: Leader of the Whirlpools

Season 3. Episode 6 Leah: Leader of the Whirlpools

Dave and his daughter Leah talk about music and life.

Nov 10, 202137:06
Season 3, episode 5. Locusts in October

Season 3, episode 5. Locusts in October

The twisting, untold story of the shoulda-been-a-hit song "Locusts in October," which Jim wrote during his musical partnership with Jim Morris as the band "JOE". What does any of this have to do with Lionel Richie, Thom Williams, Brian Eno, and the legal profession? Listen and find out!

Oct 31, 202140:02
Season 3, episode 4. When will I get old?

Season 3, episode 4. When will I get old?

Dave and Jim talk about getting older. At what point in life do you become "old"? Can you be young and old at the same time? Does getting older always have to be a bad thing? Does it bring wisdom? Is it possible to live in the present without worrying too much about the future? Join us for a free wheeling discussion.

Oct 26, 202131:10
Season 3, Episode 3: Out with the old, in with the new?

Season 3, Episode 3: Out with the old, in with the new?

Dave, Jim & special guest / old bandmate Jim Morris discuss stories, dreams, and connections between our previous shows about Fear and Moving. Also included is the World Premier of the vintage track--"Clinging to the Noose" (words by Jim Esch,  music by Jim Morris)--from the band JOE's first tape, circa early 1980's.  

Sep 09, 202136:06
Season 3, Episode 2: Fear

Season 3, Episode 2: Fear

In todays offering, Jim and Dave discuss the topic of fear and meander all the way to Hamlet.  Dave weaves in a musical theme, a tribute to a musical giant.   Listener feedback welcomed!  Enjoy.

Aug 27, 202128:57
Season 3, episode 1: Moving
Aug 20, 202136:39
Season 2. Show 7. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 13: Scorpio.

Season 2. Show 7. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 13: Scorpio.

Dave interviews Phil Charron, an early student of Thom's, only slightly later than Dave and Jim, revealing insights about Thom in his early teaching career. 

Jun 21, 202156:26
On the creative process and growing older: a conversation with Jill Benedict

On the creative process and growing older: a conversation with Jill Benedict

In her mid 20's, Jill Benedict quit writing. When Covid crashed into our lives, she clawed her way back to the creative path. Jill reads two stories for today's show. The first is about the shocking reawakening of the creative process. The second engages very honestly way with that looming pivot point we all must face, turning 30. You can follow Jill on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/writerwithoutacause/ 

Jun 03, 202149:08
Words and Music Live with John Grecia: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 12

Words and Music Live with John Grecia: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 12

Dave and Jim talk with musician / songwriter John Grecia, a student of Thom Williams, about their songwriting collaboration and the rediscovery of a cache of songs they wrote back in the day. We discover the revelatory power of music, how it can speak to our contemporary moment, spanning years and bridging lives. The show includes the following Grecia/Williams demos: 

  • She Danced
  • January
  • If Wishes Were Rain
  • Slide
  • Miranda 


May 02, 202101:04:05
Season 2, show 4. Dave's Dream: "Got Transcendence?"

Season 2, show 4. Dave's Dream: "Got Transcendence?"

Jim and Dave have an extended conversation about dreams, meditation, atman, Narcissus, the conservation of energy, entropy, transcendence, metaphysics, and the meaning and non-meaning of life.  

Mar 21, 202148:02
Season 2. Show 3. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 11: Behind the Music: The Legend of the Skull Farmers
Mar 07, 202101:12:41
Season 2. Show 2. Life is but a stream...running on empty

Season 2. Show 2. Life is but a stream...running on empty

Jim and Dave push against the boundaries of nothing into something in a free wheeling conversation about music, streaming, Buddha statues, G men, Dads in wartime, new band discoveries, punk rock Sphinxes, and Dave's plan for getting Brian Eno to sue us. Prepare for a wild scenic route into nothingness and beyond! 

Feb 21, 202132:25
Season 2. Show 1. Dave catches up with his son as 2020 vanishes (thank goodness).
Jan 17, 202125:52
Show 18. Walk Outside, Shut the Door: Ski & the Golden Retriever in Human Form look back on season 1 and experiment forward

Show 18. Walk Outside, Shut the Door: Ski & the Golden Retriever in Human Form look back on season 1 and experiment forward

Dave and Jim check-in and reflect on season 1, recapping highlights, insights, and lessons learned. We hope this podcast has made this difficult year a little easier to endure. We know it has for us. Coming soon in 2021, season 2 of Podula Rasa...until then, season's greetings and happy new year! To show your support for what we've been doing, we ask that you make an end-of-year contribution to the Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Principal John Beltrante
Marple Newtown Senior High School
120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073

Dec 18, 202034:42
Show 17. Our House: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 10
Dec 05, 202040:16
Show 16. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 9: Jon-Michael Frank

Show 16. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 9: Jon-Michael Frank

Dave talks with artist Jon-Michael Frank for a freewheeling conversation about TWill, the teenage heart, haiku, the secret life of fungi and trees, and more.  Music interludes provided by Jim and Stacy Esch. 

Nov 21, 202047:28
Show 15. Coloring without staying in the lines: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 8

Show 15. Coloring without staying in the lines: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 8

Today we are joined by Danielle DeCaro Buchanan, a former student and close friend of Thom Williams. Danielle shares stories of meeting Thom, reading Ralph Waldo Emerson and haiku, and how their friendship developed over the years.  The creative inspiration and wisdom she drew from him is unforgettable. 


Oct 24, 202034:07
Show 14. Libra: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 7

Show 14. Libra: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 7

Dave interviews Lisa D'Annunzio Jones (aka. "Libra"), a teaching colleague of TWill. Thom and Libra shared a special bond which transcended the classroom. 


Oct 18, 202034:54
Show 13. Feedback Loops. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 6

Show 13. Feedback Loops. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 6

Catching up on listener mail we have received over the past couple months. Dave reads a Thom Williams poem, and we hear a rare clip of TWill in the classroom rapping! Plus a new Oblique Strategy from Brian Eno. 

Oct 11, 202019:10
Show 12. "The World is Not the World": The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 5

Show 12. "The World is Not the World": The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 5

We interview Dr. Maury Joseph, a clinical psychologist and former student of Thom Williams. Maury shares his memories, music, and thoughts on creativity learned from Thom that have been useful in his practice as a therapist.  

Sep 17, 202017:48
Show 11. The Thomas Williams Experience, fragment 4: A Virgo born on the day of fate

Show 11. The Thomas Williams Experience, fragment 4: A Virgo born on the day of fate

To celebrate the birthday of Thomas Williams, we’ve created a montage of moments that we have had with some of you: conversations of consequence, from thoughts, memories and collaborations with Tom.  Includes portions of interviews with: Lisa D’Annunzio-Jones, Danielle Buchanan, Jeffery Alulis, Phillip Charron, Jon-Michael Frank, Jim Morris, John Grecia, Murray Joseph and Jimmy Develin.

Musical Credits:  A HUGE thank you to John Grecia for the liberal use of his and Tom's music, including:  

White Star, When You Fall, We Stayed Up All Night, Two Autumns, Turning of My Heart, Spanish Jane, Slide, She Came in Time of Meteors, Quiet Conversations, Monterey, Love is the Cure, Lightning Rod, Kingdom of One, January, If Wishes Were Rain, Hiroshima, Blue Camero, Andromeda.

Happy TWill birthday to all!

Dave and Jim

Sep 06, 202041:01
Show 10. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 3: Back to School

Show 10. The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 3: Back to School

We interview Lorisa Friedman, a high school English teacher and colleague of Thom Williams at Marple Newtown. What was it like to work alongside TW? What did Lori learn from him about teaching and life? We hope this show will jog memories of the important teachers and coworkers in your own life.

Aug 30, 202045:26
Show 9. Day by day, the journey goes on

Show 9. Day by day, the journey goes on

Dave and Jim discuss the virtues of keeping a writing journal, the podcast itself as an audio journal, the connections between journaling and meditation, and how sometimes, it's OK to purge yourself of pieces from your past. Plus, the return of the segment "oblique strategies"! 

Aug 24, 202021:40
Show 8: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 2

Show 8: The Thom Williams Experience, fragment 2

Mark Christaldi joins us for a conversation about how a single high school English journal assignment made a deep and lasting impression on his journey through life. Mark also shares his thoughts on what we may really be up to regarding this podcast. Thanks Mark for the wisdom and insights. 

We invite you to make a donation to the Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marple Newtown High School. You can send checks to: The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Principal John Beltrante, Marple Newtown Senior High School, 120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073

Aug 15, 202022:41
Show 7: The Path, fragment 1.5

Show 7: The Path, fragment 1.5

In this followup to the previous episode, Dave and Jim talk about finding your path, dealing with regrets, and how to be present in the moment.


Aug 08, 202018:34
Show 6. Thom Williams experience, fragment 1

Show 6. Thom Williams experience, fragment 1

Did you have influential teachers and mentors growing up? Thom Williams was that for us. He was the cool English teacher at our high school. He inspired and influenced the lives of countless students. Ten years since his passing, we reflect on his life and legacy in the first of what we hope to be a recurring feature in the podcast.  We invite you to make a donation to the Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marple Newtown High School. You can send checks to:
The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund  
c/o Principal John Beltrante
Marple Newtown Senior High School
120 Media Line Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073

Jul 25, 202023:25
Show 5. Meditation updates

Show 5. Meditation updates

A look at how our meditation practices have morphed under the shadow of the 2020 pandemic. Plus dreams, mental roller coasters, books of nothing, and oblique strategies. Strap yourself in for the ride. 

Jul 02, 202024:33
Show 4. The Persistence of Memory: Zeus & the Druids, Behind the Music
Jun 17, 202026:09
Show 3: meditation

Show 3: meditation

Dave and Jim discuss their varied experiences with meditation, what it can do for the mind and body. 

Jun 04, 202021:03
Show 2: listener feedback

Show 2: listener feedback

Dave and Jim interview two friends to glean their thoughts about the show and where they look for bright and shiny things in their lives. 

May 28, 202017:11
Show 1: Bright Shiny Things

Show 1: Bright Shiny Things

Dave and Jim lay out the vision for the podcast and talk about musician Jon Hassell, his “bright shiny things” approach to art, and how we can apply his advice to daily life.
May 22, 202011:47