Best Mindless Matters Podcasts (2025)

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Chronic Stress Ages You. Here’s How To De-Stress for Longevity. | Elissa Epel 1:11:55

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5h ago1:11:55

1:11:55

How to reduce negative thoughts, get deep rest, and improve cellular health. Elissa Epel, Ph.D., is an international expert on stress, well-being, and optimal aging and a best-selling author of The Telomere Effect, and The Stress Prescription. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, at the University of California,…

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You Can’t Hate Yourself Into Becoming a Better Person | Vinny Ferraro 38:06

1d ago38:06

38:06

We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – we’re now offering guided meditations to accompany each full episode of the show, available to paid subscribers at DanHarris.com. For t…

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Breaking Free from Emotional Eating: Simple Strategies That Actually Work 29:33

3d ago29:33

29:33

By Tricia Stefankiewicz/Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Health Coach

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Professional Setbacks Happen to All of Us. Here Are Some Lessons From Resetting My Career. | Dan Harris & Toni Magyar 52:52

3d ago52:52

52:52

Practical learnings from Dan and his CEO on: focus, feedback, self-talk, and expecting adversity. 10% Media head honcho Toni Magyar joins Dan for a candid conversation about how to reset after a professional setback, navigating some tricky transitions, and how self-compassion and clear communication can make it all a bit easier. In this episode we …

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How To Handle Toxic Thoughts | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren 1:09:17

5d ago1:09:17

1:09:17

What to do when the voice in your head is an asshole. Sebene Selassie is an author and meditation teacher. She writes the popular newsletter remind me to love and her first book is called, You Belong. Jeff Warren is an author and meditation teacher. He writes the popular newsletter Home Base and is the coauthor, along with Dan, of a book called Med…

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31 | Stop Checking Social Media Apps That Drain You With This Fun Speed Dating Method 16:54

6d ago16:54

16:54

Ever feel like you’re dating five needy people at once… except they’re named Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest? Yeah. No wonder you’re exhausted. In this episode, I share a surprisingly fun way to break your compulsive “open-close-open-close” scrolling habit called Social Media Speed Dating. It’s not about quitting everything col…

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The Science of Conversation: How To Say What You Mean, Be Heard, and Stop People-Pleasing | Alison Wood Brooks 1:19:27

7d ago1:19:27

1:19:27

You talk all day. Here’s how to do it better, according to a professor from Harvard Business School. Alison Wood Brooks comes from the Harvard Business School, where she teaches a course called “TALK: How to Talk Gooder in Business and Life,” which she has now turned into a book, called TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselv…

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How To Meditate When You're Freaking Out | Kaira Jewel Lingo 18:28

8d ago18:28

18:28

What to do when you're in the grip of grief, anxiety, or overwhelm. Our Teacher of the Month, Kaira Jewel Lingo, has some suggestions for finding your way through. Join Dan’s online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel On Sunday, September 21st from 1-5pm ET, join Dan and Leslie Booker at the New Y…

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How To Handle Your Demons | Vinny Ferraro 19:53

10d ago19:53

19:53

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from dharma teacher Vinny Ferraro, as chosen by our producer Eleanor Vasilli. Vinny explores the concept of “alignment” and how you can actually choose your own attitude – and choose your own adventure. Full Episode: Three Buddhist Pract…

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From Perfect to Possible: Transforming Your Health Journey with Progress Over Perfection 37:13

11d ago37:13

37:13

Episode Description: Many of us have the best intentions when it comes to improving our health. We set goals, create plans, and commit to making changes. However, a common roadblock that can prevent us from achieving long-term health success is a mindset of perfectionism. While striving for perfection might seem like a good idea, it can often hinde…

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Next Time You’re Suffering, Ask Yourself This Question | Caverly Morgan 1:03:51

12d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

The highest form of self compassion (is seeing there’s no self in the first place). Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher who blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach, drawing from her eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She's authored two books—The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together and A Kids B…

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30 | 3 Listener Questions on Digital Distraction (That You're Probably Wondering Too) 15:18

13d ago15:18

15:18

Ever wish you could just raise your hand mid-podcast and ask, “Wait, but what about…?” That’s exactly what we’re doing today. For the first time on Overcome Digital Distraction, I’m answering listener questions, the ones you’ve been emailing, DMing, and quietly wondering about. We’re getting real about: 1. Using social media without feeling drained…

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The Science of Self-Hypnosis | Dr. David Spiegel 1:08:57

14d ago1:08:57

1:08:57

How it can help with stress, anxiety, and panic. Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford School of Medicine. Standing on a lifetime of research and clinical experience (nearly 50 years), he is a world renowned expert on hypnosis and has treated more than 7,000 patients with it. He founded the Reveri app …

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How to Handle Discomfort, Uncertainty, and Overwhelm | Meditation with Kaira Jewel Lingo 14:59

15d ago14:59

14:59

All this month, we’re sharing custom guided meditations from our teacher of the month, Kaira Jewel Lingo, exclusively available at DanHarris.com. Like any good drug dealer, the first taste is free – so today, we’re giving you a sample of what you can expect for the rest of the month. This meditation is about learning to sit with discomfort. Related…

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How To Repair the Damage After An Argument | Dr. Becky Kennedy 32:02

17d ago32:02

32:02

It’s good to apologize when you’ve hurt someone’s feelings, but there’s more to “making up” than simply an apology. We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff, and this week we’re hearing from parenting expert and psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy about taking the next step when you’ve made a mistake. Full E…

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From Habits to Results: The Practice Effect 29:12

18d ago29:12

29:12

By Tricia Stefankiewicz/Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Health Coach

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Think You Suck at Meditation? This Conversation Could Help. | Ofosu Jones-Quartey 1:08:22

19d ago1:08:22

1:08:22

How to (constructively) lower the bar on your meditation practice. Ofosu Jones-Quartey is a meditation teacher, hip-hop artist, and author based in the DC area. He’s a certified teacher with over 20 years of experience bringing mindfulness, self-compassion, and creativity to people of all ages. His stage name is “Born I,”, and his new book is calle…

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29 | The Dinner Table Reset: How to Create Screen-Free Family Dinners That Work 14:38

20d ago14:38

14:38

Ever sat down for dinner and realized… no one’s actually there? The forks are clinking, the plates are being passed but eyes are glued to screens, minds are miles away, and conversation is replaced with the dreaded “Fine.” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I’m sharing my simple Five-Step Dinner Table Reset, a framework to help you r…

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Let’s Normalize Failure (The Right Kind) | Manu Kapur 1:01:53

21d ago1:01:53

1:01:53

An expert in failure shows us how to find success in the most counterintuitive way. Manu Kapur is currently the Director of the Singapore-ETH Center, and Professor for Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, where he also directs The Future Learning Initiative (FLI). Manu is also the Founding Chair of the ETH Zurich – EPF…

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Pods We Love: Happier with Gretchen Rubin 32:39

22d ago32:39

32:39

Sharing an episode today from our friend Gretchen Rubin’s podcast, Happier. Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth Craft discuss the idea of the “familect” and why it might be fun to create a dictionary for our own familect. They also talk about a hack that makes it easier to use a smartphone, and they share dozens of listeners’ thought-provoking “Secre…

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A Surprisingly Effective Way to Deal With Your Inner Critic 28:58

24d ago28:58

28:58

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from therapist Dick Schwartz, as chosen by Mani Chandy from our Substack team. Schwartz is the founder of Internal Family Systems, a way of looking at all of the various “parts” that we have inside ourselves, and how they can work togeth…

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Consistent Triumph: The Path to Success Through Daily Discipline 35:00

25d ago35:00

35:00

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of consistency on the journey to success. Explore how small, daily actions compound over time to create significant achievements. Discover practical strategies to overcome challenges, stay motivated, and build a foundation for lasting success. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind the age-o…

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How To Handle Dilemmas, Drift, Indecision, and Difficult People | Gretchen Rubin 1:04:18

26d ago1:04:18

1:04:18

An avalanche of practical advice and brief (but powerful) life lessons. Gretchen Rubin is a New York Times bestselling author and happiness expert who explores human nature and habits. She’s a highly acclaimed writer, host of the podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin and the founder of the award-winning Happier app. In this episode we talk about: Wh…

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28 | How to Turn Off Notifications in 5 Simple Steps Without Missing What Matters 18:47

27d ago18:47

18:47

How often do your phone notifications pull you away from what matters most? You’re mid-conversation, mid-prayer, or finally making progress on a project—then ping. Just like that, your peace evaporates, your body tenses, and your brain shifts into reactive mode. It happens dozens of times a day. In this episode, I’m sharing practical ways to turn o…

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Why You Say Yes When You Shouldn’t — And How To Say No When It Matters Most | Dr. Sunita Sah 1:10:47

28d ago1:10:47

1:10:47

A conversation with a Cornell professor who is attempting to rebrand the concept of defiance. Dr. Sunita Sah started her career as a physician but then switched over to organizational psychology. At Cornell, she conducts research on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance. She is the author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Ye…

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Are You Overcomplicating Your Life? | Kaira Jewel Lingo 26:21

29d ago26:21

26:21

We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – we’re now offering guided meditations to accompany each full episode of the show, available to paid subscribers at DanHarris.com. For t…

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How To Find Joy In an Anxious World | Sara Bareilles and Dacher Keltner 33:33

1M ago33:33

33:33

A conversation with singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and psychologist Dacher Keltner, recorded at the New York Times Well Festival, moderated by Dan. All three of them have dealt with anxiety and continue to work with it, and they discuss the ways they look for joy and sustainable wellness. Related Episodes: Sara Bareilles: Anxiety, Anger, and Art …

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A New Way to Think About Health in a Changing Body 23:25

1M ago23:25

23:25

By Tricia Stefankiewicz/Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Health Coach

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Anxious? Confused? Powerless? A Four-Part Recipe for Staying Centered From a Buddhist Nun. | Ayya Anandabodhi 1:05:56

1M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Reclaim your power from the news, booze, shopping, or denial. Ayya Anandabodhi is the spiritual director of Pārāyana Vihāra, a monastic residence in Port Townsend, WA. She was raised in Wales, in the UK, and first encountered Buddhism in her early teens and began training as a nun at age 24. You can listen to some of her Dharma talks, here. In this…

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27 | Having Trouble Sleeping? The Blue Light Truth About Evening Screen Time Every Tired Person Needs to Know 15:55

1M ago15:55

15:55

Ever feel physically tired but mentally wired when your head hits the pillow? You’re not crazy—and it’s not just stress. It’s probably blue light. Yep. The invisible kind glowing from your phone, your TV, even your overhead lights is hijacking your brain’s ability to rest. It suppresses melatonin, confuses your circadian rhythm, and leaves you wide…

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Stop Caring What Other People Think About You | Bruce Hood 1:07:32

1M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

A happiness expert explains how to alter your ego, reduce self-consciousness, and boost “okayness”. Bruce Hood has been a Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at Bristol University since 1999, and for the past 5 years he has been concentrating on how to make students happier. He undertook his Ph.D. in neuroscience at Cambridge followed …

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Mayim Bialik on: Anxiety, Imagination, Manifestation, Faith, and the Best Time of Day to Meditate 50:03

1M ago50:03

50:03

Dan welcomed his friend, the actor, neuroscientist and podcaster Mayim Bialik, and her co-host Jonathan Cohen to Substack with a live conversation. They talked about anxiety – one of many things they have in common – along with faith, imagination, manifestation (not in the way you might think), and what’s the best time of day to meditate. Find Mayi…

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A Radical, Counterintuitive Stress Reliever with Alua Arthur | Staff Picks 15:24

1M ago15:24

15:24

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from death doula Alua Arthur, as chosen by our managing producer Lauren Smith. Arthur helps people with all the non-medical aspects of dying – emotional, spiritual, and practical – and she has a simple question that she says simplifies d…

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Turning Intention into Action: How to Stop Wishing and Start Doing for Your Health 37:03

1M ago37:03

37:03

By Tricia Stefankiewicz/Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Health Coach

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Is It Possible To Improve Your Personality? The Science Says Yes. Here’s How To Do It. | Olga Khazan 1:07:30

1M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Plus other intriguing questions answered such as: should you change your personality? What exactly is a personality anyway? Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic. Her new book is called Me, But Better. In this episode we talk about: The definition of personality The so-called big 5 aspects of personality and Olga’s attempts to work on them…

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26 | Why Boredom is the Secret to Breaking Bad Digital Habits That No One Talks About 13:53

1M ago13:53

13:53

In this episode, we flip the script on boredom—and reveal why it might just be the secret weapon you’ve been missing when it comes to breaking bad digital habits. Sounds too simple? Maybe. But that “I’m bored” feeling isn’t random —it’s a signal. A quiet nudge from your brain and your soul that you’re overdue for something deeper than distraction. …

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An Antidote to Overwhelm and Anger | Father Gregory Boyle 1:01:04

1M ago1:01:04

1:01:04

The attitude that can help you survive the Trump era. Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, The Whole Language, and most recently, Cheri…

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Am I Meditating Correctly? Am I Doing the Right Kind? | FAQ With Teacher-Of-The-Month Dawn Mauricio 18:55

1M ago18:55

18:55

A lot of us have questions about our meditation practice, but we may not have anybody to ask. Am I doing it right? Which kind of meditation should I be doing? How do I choose? Today, our Teacher of the Month Dawn Mauricio breaks down some of those questions with some actionable suggestions you can take into your next meditation session. Join Dan’s …

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Are you sitting on the sidelines missing out on what you want to do? 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

By Tricia Stefankiewicz/Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Health Coach

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How to Catch Unhelpful Thoughts Before They Take Over with Bhikkhu Bodhi | Staff Picks 21:38

2M ago21:38

21:38

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from Buddhist scholar and teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi, as chosen by Tara Anderson, one of our podcast producers. We’re getting a little meta today, as Dan and his guest talk about paying attention to what your own mind is doing. Full Episode: …

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A Buddhist Compass To Direct You Toward Happiness | Beth Upton 1:01:29

2M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

The happiness recipe from ancient Buddhist psychology. Beth Upton has been teaching meditation since 2014. Before that she spent ten years as a Buddhist nun, five of them in Burma under the guidance of Pa Auk Sayadaw. She currently leads the Sanditthika Meditation Community. In this episode we talk about: The Buddhist Abhidhamma, which Beth calls “…

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25 | Your Summer Screen Reset and the One Habit That Matters Most 17:25

2M ago17:25

17:25

Summer’s here! BBQs, iced coffee, slower mornings...and maybe a few too many hours lost to screens. If you've caught yourself scrolling through dinner, binging Netflix instead of resting, or reaching for your phone before your Bible, you’re likely not the only one! In this episode, I’m inviting you to pause and take a summer screen reset. Not a ful…

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Your Brain Is Suggestible. Here’s How To Turn That to Your Advantage. | Dr. Amir Raz 1:12:03

2M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Harness the power of suggestion for well-being, pain management, and mental health. Dr. Amir Raz is a world-renowned expert on the science of suggestion with recent positions as Canada Research Chair, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Psychology at McGill University, and as Founding Director of The Institute for Interdiscipli…

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A Circuit Breaker for Stress | Bonus Meditation with Dawn Mauricio 11:07

2M ago11:07

11:07

All this month, we’re sharing custom guided meditations from our teacher of the month, Dawn Mauricio, exclusively available at DanHarris.com. Like any good drug dealer, the first taste is free – so today, we’re giving you a sample of what you can expect for the rest of the month. This meditation can be helpful when you’re spiraling and need to inte…

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How To Stop Spinning Out With Bill Hader | Staff Picks 23:11

2M ago23:11

23:11

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from comedian and actor Bill Hader, as chosen by our digital media manager, Hayden Broom. Hader was part of our “Non-Negotiables” series, and he told Dan, with some disappointment, that “the hippies were right.” Full Episode: Bill Hader …

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Nine ways to start to eat more mindfully 22:25

2M ago22:25

22:25

Episode description: This episode talks about mindful eating, mindless eating, and how to work towards getting into a mindset of being present- or mindful- during meals. Show notes Hunger scale link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Kgaj98mWsBQqRie5zlhGmlG-HetcQ-F/view?usp=sharing https://www.thecenterformindfuleating.org/ https://www.thecenterfor…

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The Science Of Manifestation: Can This Stanford Neuroscientist Convince A Skeptical Dan To Give It A Shot? | Dr. James R. Doty 1:16:39

2M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Six practical steps to harness the full power of your mind. Our guest today is James R. Doty, a neurosurgeon who has just written a whole book about the science of manifestation – although, as you’ll hear him admit, there’s very little ‘magic’ involved in his process. James R. Doty, M.D. is a Stanford neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, compassion resear…

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24 | How to Overcome the Urge to Check Your Phone (Again) 9:47

2M ago9:47

9:47

Ever caught yourself opening your phone… closing it… and reopening it 10 seconds later? Yup. Been there. Done that. Probably did it this morning. 🙋‍♀️ If you’ve been wondering how to stop checking your phone all day long without even realizing it, this episode is for you. We’re getting soul-level honest about that reflexive reach and what to do ins…

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Ezra Klein On: Sane News Consumption; The Power of Meditation; The Future of the Species; And the Message of His Tattoo 1:15:54

2M ago1:15:54

1:15:54

On maintaining sanity in insane times. Ezra Klein is an opinion columnist and host of the award-winning Ezra Klein Show podcast at The New York Times. His latest book is Abundance, co-authored with Derek Thompson. He is also the author of Why We’re Polarized, an instant New York Times bestseller, named one of Barack Obama’s top books of 2022. He li…

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How Meditation Can Help You Handle Injured Feelings and Injured Muscles | Dawn Mauricio 24:38

2M ago24:38

24:38

Plus: How to build a meditation practice you keep coming back to. We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – we’re now offering guided meditations to accompany each full episode …