In this podcast, John Pendall and Dana Gornall sit down and talk with Gerald Stribling and Alex Thompson, both former marines, and both now Buddhist.

We discuss the difference in generation between both Strib and Alex, why they chose to join the military and the similarities and differences between their reasons. We also get into why they both became Buddhist and how the military can be similar in some ways to being Buddhist with the discipline involved.

Strib talks about his time spent in a monastery and how it aligns with his time being in the military. John asks the question on a lot of people’s minds about how both Alex and Strib reconcile with the idea of violence and their Buddhist practice. Listen to this awesome interview of columnists, Gerald Stribling and Alex Chong Do Thompson on being marine and Buddhist.

 

Photo: (source)

Editor: Dana Gornall

 

Did you like this podcast? You might also like:

 

 

The TTB Team Reflects on 2025

We discussed what challenged us, what we learned from, what we hope to see in 2026. We talked about grief, recovery, dogs, family, changes, the changing landscape of our nation and our world.

John Brehm: Poet and Author of The Dharma of Poetry {Podcast}

  John Brehm is the author of three full-length books of poetry, Sea of Faith, Help Is on the Way, and No Day at the Beach, all from the University of Wisconsin Press, and a chapbook, The Way Water Moves, from Flume Press. His collection of essays, The Dharma of...

A Conversation with Dr. Jon Kolkin, Photographer and Creator of the Book Inner Harmony {Podcast}

Dr. Jon Kolkin is an internationally recognized artist with a lifetime of experience pursuing his passions while simultaneously maintaining a healthy balance between his personal and professional life. His unique strategies have allowed him to achieve a high level of...

The Importance of Engaged Buddhism & Anti-Racism: A Talk with Brad Wiscons {Podcast}

Engaged Buddhism: Why is it important today? What even is engaged Buddhism? We had the opportunity to talk with Brad Wiscons and discuss this and many more issues that revolve around racism today and how Buddhists can be more involved in encouraging diversity and...

Comments

comments