A Christian and a Buddhist walk in to a bar

Last week we heard about what Da Pope thinks about AI and humanity. Today, what do Buddhists think? Tai-Sen and Jacob talk about the Buddhist take on AI, humanity, and all things in between. 

Our good friend 'Da Pope' Leo XIV has released an encyclical. Its on humans and humanity, but also AI, and also capitalism? We dig deep in to the paper, and ask about all things to do with Magnifica Humanitas, Including... does the Pope think that AI evil and going to destroy us? (hint* no). 
 
https://katieprejeanmcgrady.substack.com/p/10-key-points-from-pope-leos-first 

Its Men's World Cup finals time! And have you noticed the players praying? We look in to the various ways the sports people pray, and if (and how) this might improve their game. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-13575702 / https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6862688/2025/12/05/noni-madueke-arsenal-christian-players/ 

What makes you flourish? Not just healthy, wealthy and wise; but truly flourish? Today we look in to some surprising results from a recent study, and open up some questions about how religious practice may help with our flourishing as individuals and society. 
 
https://www.abc.net.au/religion/harvard-global-flourishing-index-indonesia-more-than-happiness/106649806 
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ9m94xDHm3/ 

Why do we need religion? What does it do for our lives? what is it for?
 
We launch off from some of our previous questions to ramble about what we think a religion is for, and go off on all the usual tangents. 

Do you want to go to Amitaba's pure land? What even is this magical place and how do i get there?! 
Today we dive in to one of the most popular versions of buddhism in east asia, and try to find out what it's all about.
 
https://tricycle.org/buddhism-pure-land/

Do you worry about the judgement of others? do you care about the opinions of others? Today we ramble on about our own views on who's opinions matter, Tai-Sen shares his new formula for letting go of the opinions of some, and injustice in general. 
 
Post-recording note: In this episode I (Tai-Sen) talk about referring to myself as a Monk. Since recording I have had further reflection and conversations about this, and have changed my opinion. 'Priest-candidate' is a more appropriate term for this life transition. 

NEW EPISODE!That's right, we are back with a new episode again, and this time, its fight night. 
 
Sometimes, you need to explain something to someone, something about theology, some clear understanding that you have about important Augustinian doctrine that you've learnt from your recent conversion to Catholicism. But sometimes, the person you're explaining this complex theory to is....the Pope....?
 
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/17/pope-jd-vance-row-iran-just-war
 

With so much violence going on in the world right now, we thought it would be a good time to re-release an episode about how religions of all kind, even Buddhism, can lead to violence. And how in any situation, it's probably not a good idea.
Today we ask, is Buddhism, the religion on peace and love? Or... the religion of genocide? We look at why people are shocked at stories of violent Buddhism, and discuss peace in the middle east while we’re at it.  
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/opinion/buddhists-violence-tolerance.html  

Happy Easter once again! We are doing a big throw back to one of our first season specials, as Tai Sen (Jamal)learns all about Easter and what it really means.