February 27, 2026
View or download a transcript of this episode
Since this podcast launched, Wendy Hasenkamp has guided listeners through 84 in-depth conversations, bringing warmth, curiosity, and intellectual depth to every episode. After five years with the show and over 13 years with the Mind & Life Institute, Wendy is stepping into a new chapter, returning to school and pursuing studies to become a clinical herbalist. While we’ll miss her deeply, we’re excited about this new path for her, where she will surely continue to share her wisdom and guide others toward greater well-being and connection.
In this special episode, Mind & Life co-producer Phil Walker sits down with Wendy for a conversation reflecting on her time as host—the insights gained, the themes that emerged, and the questions that continue to inspire her. They cover many topics, including:
- her own path into contemplative science;
- finding a home in the Mind & Life community;
- the dialogue between Buddhism and science;
- supporting science education for Tibetan monastics;
- science communication, nuance & mindfulness hype;
- how this podcast was born and evolved over time;
- the importance of open-mindedness and critique in science;
- some key themes that emerged from years of conversations with leading thinkers and scholars;
- reckoning with an interdependent self;
- the problem of othering;
- mind-body connection;
- reflections on where contemplative science has been and where it’s going;
- interconnectedness with nature;
- and her next steps in the world of herbalism and holistic medicine.