First Interview Episode: Vince Fakhoury Horn on Buddhism, Narrative Framing, and Propaganda After 9/11 and Gaza

Joe and Arthur interview Vince Fakhoury (Buddhist Geeks), a Dharma teacher and Palestinian American, about generational tensions between Buddhist teachers, tech-driven “schismogenesis,” and formative experiences of propaganda after 9/11, including his grandparents’ treatment during travel and business scrutiny. Vince links propaganda to linguistic framing via “social meditation,” arguing those who control frames shape what’s discussable, and critiques “neoliberal Buddhism” for avoiding systemic issues like Gaza. He describes building connective tissue between individual practice and social liberation through relational practice and projects like Insight Diaspora, and discusses Buddhist history, non-duality, and unconditional generosity.

00:00 Housekeeping Updates

00:36 First Interview Tease

01:42 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:17 Vince Background and Work

04:42 Generational Dharma Tensions

08:30 Schismogenesis and Projects

10:41 Defining Propaganda

11:06 Post 9/11 Propaganda Impact

13:10 Meditation Framing and Language

17:31 Media Narratives and Awakening

20:31 Developmental Stages and Systems

22:49 Nietzsche and Buddhist Suffering

24:51 Early Buddhism Nirvana Escape

25:28 Mahayana Nonduality Shift

27:13 Modern Buddhism Remixing

28:28 Meditation Versus Social Media

29:19 Buddhist Modernism Limits

32:06 Lions Roar For Gaza

34:40 Neoliberal Dharma Frustrations

39:05 Developmental Lens And Growth

42:00 Social Meditation Connective Tissue

45:59 Dana And Unconditional Generosity

49:25 Closing And Support