A Christian and a Buddhist walk in to a bar
Jacob is a Christian, Jamal Is a Buddhist. Together they meander around theology, spirituality, religion, philosophy and whatever else happens to come to mind. A weekly podcast for anyone interested in what shenanigans a Christian and a Buddhist can get up to when given a few mics.
Episodes
7 hours ago
Becoming a non monk - Not lying
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
This week on the podcast, Jacob finally converts and Jamal reveals that he's been a universalist the whole time.
That's right! we are talking about lying, and how it interacts with the Buddhist precepts. Plus, stay turned for our brutal takedown of Kevin MacLeod.... nah I can't lie about that one.
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Becoming a not-monk: not misssusing sexuality
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Sex is a complicated topic. But the Buddhist precepts has the answer! Maybe? We'll find out this week as we continue exploring the journey in to the zen precepts.
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Da Pope!
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
We have a new Pope! And he's from Chicago, which makes him Da Pope. Today Jacob and Jamal learn all about the new head of the Catholic church, and dig deep in to the dish to find our about what they think this might mean for one of the worlds biggest religions.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ln80lzk7ko
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Becoming a non monk - Not stealing
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
We continue our exploration of the Buddhist precepts and Jamal's journey in to being not a monk. Or maybe kind of a monk? or perhaps just a stand up dude.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Bahai
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Today we explore a listener question about the lesser known faith of Bahai.
What is it? What do they believe? and is it an answer to the inherent conflicts between other religions like Christianity and Buddhism? https://www.bahai.org/
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Becoming a non-monk: not killing
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Jamal has started working on the 10 Grave precepts of Zen. So we shall kick off our exploration of them with the 1st precept. Not Killing. Easy right?
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Re Release - The mindfulness capitalist conspiracy: Part 2
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
In our last throwback episode, we are back to finish the discussion of 'what does mindfulness look like without ethics behind it?'. This week we turn the lens toward the mindfulness industry, and investigate the intersection between mindfulness and capitalism while asking: is there a place for mindfulness as a commodity in the market?
https://www.theguardian.com/l
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Re Release - The mindfulness capitalist conspiracy: Part 1
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Another throwback this week to an earlier conversation about how mindfulness has also become just a little bit of a capitalist industry. Ne episodes are just around the corner, we promise!
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Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist technique for achieving enlightenment. It is also a massive capitalist industry, promising to both counter the issues caused by capitalism, and also to bring productivity and riches to all.
What does 'McMindfullness' have to do with traditional Buddhism, and what does it say about our society and religions?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Re Release - Mistakes, Love and Enlightenment
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
We are diving back in to the archives this week to bring back our conversation on mistakes, different types of love, and a bit about what samsara and enlightenment are. Hope you enjoy, new episodes will be back very soon!
Article: https://bswa.org/teaching/wisdom-of-silence/
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Is God a Dungeon-Master? Part 2
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
We return to the D&D tavern with Rebecca. Talking all things religious, fantasy and in between. Who will roll a nat 20 this time around? Tune in to find out!

Who let these guys in?
Jamal Blakkarly:
After realising that 99% of what he believed in philosophically was kinda Buddhist anyway, and then going on a way-too-intense mediation retreat, Jamal became a Buddhist in his early 20's. He has spent time in monasteries around the world, and practises mainly in the Theravada Thai Forrest tradition, with a bit of Zen thrown in for good measure.
Jacob Traeger:
Jacob grew up in a Christian family, but when he got to uni faith seemed less relevant to him. Through a non-Christian friend, God pulled him into a faith community where he could ask all sorts of questions: is belief rational? Did Jesus really exist? Does God care about my life? He’s convinced that life is better when God’s a part of it, and now he’s finishing a theology degree and leading a new church community in Canberra.
please send any questions, comments and complaints to christianbuddhistbar@gmail.com