Welcome to Season 6 of AWAKEN—a Webby Honoree podcast about the dynamic path to enlightenment and what it means to “wake up.” This season explores wrath as a powerful force for awakening and transformation. Hosted by singer, writer, and frontwoman of the bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre Kathleen Hanna, the series focuses on Buddhist and Hindu paintings and sculptures of wrathful deities from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art’s collection to illuminate their teachings on fierce compassion. Experts in the realms of art, social science, Buddhism, and more share how wrath, when used with intention and skill, can be harnessed for protection and meaningful action.

AWAKEN Season 6 launches October 27, 2026.

Read the transcript and learn more about the Rubin: https://rubinmuseum.org/welcome-to-awaken-season-6/

In the final episode, we explore how to integrate what we’ve learned about interdependence over the course of this season into our lives and put it into practice. How can we implement some of the teachings from the image of the Wheel of Life? We are all in this together. There is no other way. It’s time to wake up to this reality and act accordingly.

This episode features pastoral counselor, teacher, and author Pamela Ayo Yetunde. AWAKEN season 5 is hosted by singer, songwriter, and artist Devendra Banhart. Other guests in this episode include social scientist, physician, and professor Nicholas Christakis, professor of Buddhism and East Asian religions Annabella Pitkin, and Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher and author Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Read a transcript, learn about the Rubin, donate, and more: https://rubinmuseum.org/integrating-what-weve-learned/

The interconnected relationship between artist and viewer is what gives art its meaning and power. Art can capture ideas that are difficult to express in words and make them more understandable. How do artists reflect and deepen our understanding of interdependence?

For centuries people have turned to the image of the Wheel of Life to better understand cause and effect and the very nature of existence. The section of the Wheel depicting the human realm is the focus of this episode’s exploration of culture.

This episode features interdisciplinary artist and visual storyteller Osheen Siva. AWAKEN season 5 is hosted by singer, songwriter, and artist Devendra Banhart. Other guests in this episode include professor of Buddhism and East Asian religions Annabella Pitkin, and Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher and author Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Read a transcript, learn about the Rubin, donate, and more: https://rubinmuseum.org/considering-the-interplay-of-culture