What happens when the stories we’ve relied on no longer work, and certainty itself starts to feel like part of the problem?

In this episode of The Bardo Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Steve Todd and Cesare Saguato for a wide-ranging conversation about the so-called meta-crisis, the overlapping crises of meaning, ecology, politics, and mental health shaping modern life.

Drawing on Tibetan Buddhism, physics, psychotherapy, and Western esotericism, we explore how rigid worldviews can collapse into despair, and how uncertainty, plurality, and play might open up new ways of relating to ourselves and the world. Rather than searching for final answers, this conversation stays with mystery, groundlessness, and re-enchantment.

This episode of The Bardo Podcast is a long-form philosophical conversation exploring Buddhism, meaning, uncertainty, and the meta-crisis, bringing together spirituality, psychology, and cultural reflection without offering fixed answers.

In this episode we explore:

• The meta-crisis and why modern solutions no longer seem to work
• Meta-modernism and the idea of ironic sincerity
• Buddhism, groundlessness, and living without fixed narratives
• Science, magic, and the limits of a mechanistic worldview
• Rhizomes, decentralised action, and collective change without blueprints
• Activism as transformation rather than opposition
• Re-enchantment, play, and finding agency in uncertain times

Guests

Dr Steve Todd is a theoretical physicist with a PhD in high-energy particle theory and a long-time Buddhist practitioner within the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. He explores the intersections of science, Buddhism, and Western esotericism.
Steve’s Meta-Modern Rosicrucian Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/464647772026730/

Cesare Saguato is a Buddhist practitioner, psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, and clinical supervisor. He works in private practice, education, and organisational settings, and is Chair of Bodhicharya UK.
Cesare’s work:
https://www.cesaremindfultherapy.com/
https://bodhicharya-kent.org/

Support the show
If you’re enjoying The Bardo Podcast, subscribing, rating, or sharing the show genuinely helps.

You can also support the show financially on Patreon:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheBardoPodcast

The Bardo Podcast explores alternative ways of thinking, inner and outer change, and what happens in the space between.

Hosted by comedian Marc Salmon, the show features thoughtful conversations with comedians, philosophers, Buddhist thinkers, and other curious minds - not about certainty or expertise, but about questioning assumptions and sitting with ambiguity together.

New episodes explore comedy, philosophy, Buddhism, creativity, and alternative ways of living.

Find updates and more information at:
https://www.marcsalmoncomedy.com/

Music by Marc Salmon and Robert Fuller
Artwork by Zoe Brownstone