#042: Waylon Lewis on The Story of Elephant Journal

Stillpoints: A Podcast with Scott Johnson

In this deeply inspiring and wide ranging conversation Scott talks to Waylon Lewis on his life as a buddhist and the growth of the world renowned yoga and wellness magazine, Elephant Journal.

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About Waylon Lewis

Waylon Lewis, founder of Elephant Journal & host of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis, is a 1st generation American Buddhist “Dharma Brat.”

Voted #1 in U.S. on twitter for #green two years running, Changemaker & Eco Ambassador by Treehugger, Green Hero by Discovery’s Planet Green, Best (!) Shameless Self-Promoter at Westword’s Web Awards, Prominent Buddhist by Shambhala Sun, & 100 Most Influential People in Health & Fitness 2011 by “Greatist”, Waylon is a mediocre climber, lazy yogi, 365-day bicycle commuter & misses his best friend Redford (his rescue hound of 14 years).

His aim: to bring the good news re: “the mindful life” beyond the choir & to all those who didn’t know they gave a care. elephantjournal.com His dream of 12 years, the Elephant “Ecosystem” will find a way to pay 1,000s of writers a month, helping reverse the tide of low-quality, unpaid writing & reading for free online.

His first book, Things I would like to do with You, touches on modern relationships from a Buddhist point of view. His second book, It’s Never too Late to Fall in Love with Your Life, is available, here.

Find our more about Waylon Lewis here:

• Elephant Journal
• Instagram
• Facebook

--- Waylon Lewis on The Story of Elephant Journal

Scott and Waylon take a deep dive into his life and how Elephant Journal became a major figure in the wellness industry. Waylon shares:

• About growing up in a Buddhist school.
• How loneliness taught him about contemplative practise
• How he began Elephant Journal
• How Elephant was originally a yoga magazine.
• Why he called it Elephant Journal
• How he began practicing yoga
• How Elephant compared with Yoga Journal and other publications.
• How Elephant gave anyone the opportunity to write on the platform.
• How Elephant used pop culture to bring people to understand spiritual traditions.
• What actually clickbait is.
• How Instagram and Facebook changed the way we relate to each other.
• How EJ is now becoming a Community platform where anyone can write.
• The most important reading from his new book: ‘It’s Never Too Late To Fall In Love With Your Life’

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"I really wanted to speak to Waylon about Elephant and how he grew a small local magazine to a worldwide publication that we all recognise. His story of growing up in a spiritual school and being a Buddhist is fascinating. And his sharing of the power of the big social media companies is food for us all. This is a fascinating insight into someone who has shaped part of our modern yoga and wellness culture"

Scott Johnson - March 2023

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If you enjoyed this podcast then you might also enjoy Scott’s conversations with Pamela Weiss, Sarah Powers and Frank Jude Boccio.