Best Zen Room Podcasts (2026)

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On and Off the Records: Episode 03 - Robert Plant - Now and Zen 1:33:35

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3h ago1:33:35

1:33:35

Happy New Year!!! To kick off 2026, we are covering Robert Plant's 1988 album Now and Zen. This time around, my good friend and co-conspirator on the Glacially Musical Pouredcast and Ghost Cult head man, Keefy Chachkes. As always, Keefy is a blast to work with, so having him be a part of this series was a no-brainer. We talked in depth about the No…

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Buddhist Strategies for Protecting Yourself from Everyday Chaos | Bart van Melik 33:12

23h ago33:12

33:12

Ever lie awake at night replaying all the moments you lost it with your kids, your partner, or your co-workers? You're not alone. Bart van Melik is back on the show (his first appearance was four years ago) as our Teacher of the Month for January. Bart has one of the more interesting origin stories in the meditation world: from a small town in the …

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How To Rewrite Your Story, Make Peace with the Past, and Break Old Patterns | Melissa Febos 1:08:45

3d ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Practical ways to upgrade your narrative. Melissa Febos is the national bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, and a new memoir, The Dry Season. She is the recipient of awards and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and others. Her work ha…

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How To Use Psychology and Buddhism To Handle Your Inner Critic | Amita Schmidt 1:01:45

5d ago1:01:45

1:01:45

How psychology and spirituality can work together. Amita Schmidt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Hawaii. She has taught Vipassana meditation for over thirty years, and was the Resident Teacher at Insight Meditation Society for six years. She is the author of the book Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master. Amita currently teaches…

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Episode 129: Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister) 1:07:09

1d ago1:07:09

1:07:09

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL! I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday! I'm sure everyone traded their jeans in for sweatpants for a week or so and that's cool. I'm just glad that you're here now so thanks! In 1984, I was sitting at home one Friday night watching Friday Night Videos and the video for a song called "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted S…

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#40 - The Pitching Mistake Most Writers Don't Realize They're Making (TV & Film) 17:58

7d ago17:58

17:58

After interviewing dozens of professional screenwriters, show creators, and executives, the same mistakes, and insights, about pitching kept coming up again and again. In this episode, I distill those conversations into three practical takeaways you can apply today to your next pitch, whether it's a TV show, Film, or Limited Series. IN THIS EPISODE…

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Esther Perel: The Modern World Can Sap Your Life Force. Here's How To Recapture It. 53:22

7d ago53:22

53:22

The legendary psychotherapist unpacks the concept of "hostile dependency" and explains why cutting people off doesn't always work. Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is a leading voice on modern relationships, known for her widely viewed TED Talks, bestselling books and the hit podcast. She runs a New York–based ther…

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Buddhist Hacks for Anxiety and Overthinking | Joseph Goldstein 1:17:30

8d ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Today we're gonna talk about some Buddhist hacks for two deeply related and all too common ailments: anxiety and overthinking. Most of us have struggled with one or both of these, and one of the people who has helped Dan the most is Joseph Goldstein. Regular listeners to this podcast will be familiar with Joseph and his very direct, very down-to-ea…

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Joseph Goldstein On How To Train Your Runaway Brain 1:08:45

11d ago1:08:45

1:08:45

You may have noticed that your mind is out of control. It's filled with racing thoughts, ancient neuroses and grudges, revenge fantasies… So why are we like this and what can be done about it? Today, we're talking to one of our favorite people and also one of the most prominent meditation teachers in the West, Joseph Goldstein, about how "ridiculou…

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Rewire How You Talk To Yourself | Ofosu Jones-Quartey 1:05:11

12d ago1:05:11

1:05:11

Buddhist strategies for taming that nagging voice in your head. Ofosu Jones-Quartey, a meditation teacher, author, and musician hailing from the Washington DC area, brings over 17 years of experience in sharing mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion practices with the world. Holding a bachelor's degree from American University and certified by…

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#39 - Personal Branding for Writers: How It Supports Your Career | Goldie Chan 55:42

14d ago55:42

55:42

Goldie Chan, dubbed the "Oprah of LinkedIn," is an innovative LinkedIn Top Voice, author of Personal Branding for Introverts and the founder of Warm Robots, an award-winning agency. A Forbes alum and global keynote speaker, she helps Fortune 500s and creatives build lasting community and culture through brand storytelling. Known for her warmth and …

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Rethinking Success | Mia Birdsong 1:08:35

14d ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Radical advice on rethinking success, individualism, and the American dream. Mia Birdsong is a pathfinder, culture change visionary, and futurist. She is the founding Executive Director of Next River, a think tank and culture change lab for interconnected freedom. In her book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community, Mia maps sw…

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How Being Wired Differently Can Be an Advantage | Jeff Warren 20:03

15d ago20:03

20:03

What if the problem isn't you—but the idea that there's only one "right" way to meditate? In this episode, DJ Cashmere talks with meditation teacher Jeff Warren about how to build a mindfulness practice that actually fits your brain, nervous system, and life. Drawing from Jeff's experience with ADHD and bipolar disorder—and DJ's reflections on OCD …

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How to Work with Worry | Christiane Wolf 23:06

17d ago23:06

23:06

Worry has a way of sneaking into everything—even gratitude, loving-kindness, and joy. In this episode, Dan Harris sits down with meditation teacher and psychologist Christiane Wolf to explore how to work skillfully with worry without suppressing it, indulging it, or turning meditation into yet another way to beat yourself up. Together, they unpack …

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The Science Of Speaking Up For Yourself | Elaine Lin Hering 1:12:30

19d ago1:12:30

1:12:30

How to find your voice when you need to be heard, learn when it's smart to choose silence, and communicate better with the people who matter most. Elaine Lin Hering is a former Lecturer of Law at Harvard Law School. She works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She is the auth…

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#38 - How to Break Into Animation Writing When Jobs Are Hard to Find | Beth Mosch 42:50

21d ago42:50

42:50

Beth Mosch is an emerging writer and producer focused on showcasing female-centered, LGBTQ, and athlete-driven narratives. She graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Film & Television Production and a focus on 3D animation and has worked on productions for Netflix, Sony Pictures, WBTV, and NEON. While running a social media …

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How To Read The Room, See What Others Miss, and Be Right More Often | Kirstin Ferguson 1:12:56

21d ago1:12:56

1:12:56

Your blindspots and biases block your success and happiness. Here's how to navigate that. Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM is an award-winning leadership expert, author and columnist, ranked among the top 50 management thinkers in the world. Her career began in the Royal Australian Air Force and includes roles as CEO of a global consultancy and Acting Chair …

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A Meditation for Overthinking and Perfectionism | Jeff Warren 10:01

22d ago10:01

10:01

In this episode, our Teacher of the Month Jeff Warren guides you through a meditation practice inspired by Zen and the Diamond Sutra: "Don't Know Mind." Sometimes the need to know—certainty about what's true, what's coming next, or how things "should" be—can create tension, anxiety, and overthinking. The antidote? Letting go of that need, resting i…

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An Update From Dan 6:58

18d ago6:58

6:58

In this short solo episode, Dan shares a major update: after hearing from listeners and subscribers, he and the team have built a brand-new meditation app — 10% with Dan Harris. He explains why he returned to the app world, what makes this offering different, and how it's designed to help you build (and keep) a practice through community, live sess…

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A Zen Handbook for Sanity in an Era of Uncertainty | Jiryu Rutschman-Byler 1:17:25

25d ago1:17:25

1:17:25

It is okay—and even beautiful—to be the idiot you are. Jiryu Rutschman-Byler is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, with dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman. Jiryu has trained residentially in Zen temples since 1996, and currently serves as a co-Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center through his role as…

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#37 - Disability in Hollywood: Representation, Writer's Rooms & What Star Trek Got Right | Hilary Van Hoose 43:45

28d ago43:45

43:45

A screenwriter for animated children's series, most notably Blue's Clues & You Nursery Rhymes and Barnyard Daycare at Nickelodeon, Hilary Van Hoose is also a journalist who has written for such magazines as Animation and Script. Growing up a PWD and multi-heritage homeschooler in Northern California and Hawaii, Hilary briefly studied to be a pastry…

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How To Stop Overthinking and Make Better Decisions | Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar 1:14:20

28d ago1:14:20

1:14:20

A Darden School of Business professor explains how to use doubt to your advantage. Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar, PhD, MBA, is the Shannon G. Smith Bicentennial Professor of Business Administration and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He teaches courses on business ethics, collaboration,…

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Is It Possible to Uproot All Anxiety and Anger? Steve Armstrong Says Yes. 1:06:46

28d ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Meditation can be gorgeous… and it can be absolutely bewildering. If you've ever wondered, "Am I doing this right?" or "Why does this feel so intense?", this conversation is for you. In this vintage conversation from 2016, Dan sits down with legendary dharma teacher Steve Armstrong for a clear, compassionate walkthrough of the progress of insight—i…

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Episode 128: Southeast of Heaven's Top Albums of 2025 20:32

28d ago20:32

20:32

This was an awesome year for music so whittling it down to just ten was way harder than I thought it would be. So what were my top albums? Pop on in and check it out. You might even find your next favorite band.By Talkin‘ the Talk with Don

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How Not To Let the News Paralyze You | Tom Llamas 54:25

29d ago54:25

54:25

An NBC Nightly News anchor shares insider tips from the belly of the beast. Tom Llamas is anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas and anchor of Top Story with Tom Llamas, a daily streaming primetime newscast on NBC News NOW. He has been in broadcast journalism for over 25 years. In this episode we talk about: How to be a bett…

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How to Break Your Anger Habit | Sharon Salzberg 1:15:37

1M ago1:15:37

1:15:37

The case for love and compassion in a world that's filled with hatred and division. Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is among the first to bring mindfulness & lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture fifty years ago. She has written many books, including her …

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Episode 127: Don's 2025 Spotify Wrapped 16:30

29d ago16:30

16:30

Welcome to a very special episode of Talkin' The Talk With Don. No interviews or anything like that. This episode we are diving into my 2025 Spotify Wrapped. I always enjoy seeing what all I randomly listened over the year so it's always a surprise for me. This was fun. What are YOUR Top Albums and Artists on your Spotify Wrapped? Buy Me a Coffee (…

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The Science of Cannabis: Does It Help or Hurt With Anxiety? Is It Addictive? What's the Safest Way To Use It? | Dr. Riley Kirk 1:14:52

1M ago1:14:52

1:14:52

Everything you want to know about cannabis, but were afraid to ask. Dr. Riley Kirk is a cannabis research scientist and educator with a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, specializing in natural product chemistry. Her new book is Reefer Wellness: Understanding Cannabis Science, Culture, and Medicines. In this episode we talk about: The endocannabino…

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How to Keep Your Cool in a Room Full of Chaos Gremlins | Jeff Warren 12:07

1M ago12:07

12:07

If you've ever found yourself immediately abandoning your adult composure the second someone around you gets upset, we've got your back. In today's episode, the inimitable Jeff Warren returns with a practice to help you stop absorbing everyone else's stress and start holding healthy boundaries without turning into a jerk. Jeff — who is both a dear …

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When You're Afraid to Slow Down — Even Though You Need To 43:35

1M ago43:35

43:35

Today we're talking about how to calm your mind in a chaotic world. What you're about to hear is an interview with Dan, conducted by his new friend Hoda Kotb, another morning news veteran. Hoda was, for many years, the co-anchor of the Today Show on NBC. Now, among other things, she hosts a podcast called Making Space. You'll hear Dan and Hoda talk…

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Show Update + Your Free Guide 3:25

1M ago3:25

3:25

A short update about how the podcast is evolving and why the next chapter is all about storytelling, writing, and breaking the right rules. ✏️💥 Plus, a free download to kick things off: "The Rule Breaker's Guide To Finding Your Creative Voice". A brutally honest roadmap built from the lessons, mistakes, and breakthroughs I've collected along my jou…

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Jack Kornfield on How to Stay Sane in Insane Times 1:17:17

1M ago1:17:17

1:17:17

Plus: Saying thank you to your anxiety and the opportunity in the dumpster fire. Jack Kornfield, who trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma, then returned to the US, where he became one of the leading voices in Buddhism in the West. He co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Sharon…

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Do You Care Too Much What Other People Think of You? Avoid Conflict? Say Yes When You Shouldn't? | Dr. Ingrid Clayton, Fawning Expert 1:15:53

1M ago1:15:53

1:15:53

Practical tools to turn down the volume on fawning. Dr. Ingrid Clayton is a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's in transpersonal psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Her book is FAWNING: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves—and How to Find our Way Back. In this episode we talk about: What is fawning, actually Chronic …

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Working With a Brain That Doesn't Behave | Jeff Warren 27:35

1M ago27:35

27:35

Ever feel like your mind is constantly bouncing around? You're not alone. In this episode, DJ Cashmere sits down with meditation teacher Jeff Warren, who has spent decades exploring consciousness, neurodivergence, and the practical side of meditation. Jeff shares his own experience with ADHD, bipolarity, and the ups and downs of life, offering tool…

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When Your Mind Won't Stop, Try This | Vinny Ferraro 44:12

1M ago44:12

44:12

If you've ever felt like your inner life is a clenched fist — tight belly, buzzing chest, racing mind — this conversation is for you. In this live session from our DanHarris.com sangha, the great Vinny Ferraro takes us on a kind of "return to the body" safari: soft-belly practice, heart-work, nervous system regulation, forgiving the seemingly unfor…

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Why You Always Want More, And How To Fix It | Michael Easter 1:09:36

2M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

Learning how to thrive with enough. Michael Easter is the New York Times bestselling author of Scarcity Brain and The Comfort Crisis. He also shares his ideas on his popular newsletter, 2% with Michael Easter. In this episode we talk about: The evolutionary roots of overconsumption The challenges of having an ancient brains in a modern world The Sc…

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#36 - A Vietnam Veteran's Redemption Through Acting & Writing | Brian Delate 1:07:42

2M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Brian Delate is a Vietnam Veteran, actor, writer, and director whose life and work bridge trauma, creativity, and transformation. After serving in Vietnam ('69–'70), Brian rebuilt himself through education, acting, and writing, eventually training at The Actor's Studio under icons like Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, and Al Pacino. His film and telev…

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A Radical Buddhist Antidote for Anxiety | John Makransky and Paul Condon 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Combining modern science and ancient Buddhism to treat anxiety, anger, and impatience. John Makransky is a professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, AND ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist lama. Paul Condon is an associate professor of psychology at Southern Oregon University and a research fellow at the Mind & Life Institute. Bo…

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Why Work Feels So Hard — And What to Do About It 1:02:41

2M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

We're bringing you an episode of one of our favorite podcasts, The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, on which Dan was a guest. We can spend a lot of time working – and it gives us fulfillment, social interaction and fun – but still one in five of us say our workplaces are "toxic". And even the best jobs can sometimes be stressful and draining. …

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The Dharma of Anxiety and Depression | Leslie Booker 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

Anxiety. Depression. Perfectionism. Dan and meditation teacher Leslie Booker get real about how these challenges show up in their own lives — and how mindfulness, community, and sometimes medication can actually help. Recorded live at New York Insight, this conversation is honest, funny, and surprisingly hopeful. Related Episodes: Buddhist Lessons …

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How To Get Out Of Your Head: Joseph Goldstein and Sam Harris on Nirvana, Non-Clinging, Non-Duality, and the Best Way to Meditate 1:31:13

2M ago1:31:13

1:31:13

Which is the best path to freedom? Joseph Goldstein is a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, both in Barre, Massachusetts. He is the author of many books including, most recently, Dreamscapes of the Mind. Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, author, podcaster and the proprietor of the Waking Up app. In …

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#35 - Rugrats to Real Monsters: The Zen of Writing Without Validation | Peter Gaffney 56:45

2M ago56:45

56:45

Peter Gaffney is an Emmy-winning writer, producer and story editor of animated television, ranging from Rugrats to The Simpsons. He is the co-creator of Nickelodeon's Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. 🎙️In this episode, we explore: ✅ What the iconic Rugrats taught him about creative freedom ✅ Why his approach to writing comedy hasn't changed since the '90s ✅…

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Longevity Science Without the Fear or Bullshit | Dr. Kerry Burnight 1:14:05

2M ago1:14:05

1:14:05

An expert in Gerontology shares the four core habits for aging well. Dr. Kerry Burnight is a gerontologist, caregiver advocate, and founder of the Gerontology Institute at UC Irvine. Her new book, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half, offers a practical framework for aging not just longer, but better. In this episode we ta…

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Why You're Always Half-Stressed — and How to Chill | Christiane Wolf 28:40

2M ago28:40

28:40

If you feel like you spend most of your day on edge — not totally panicked, but not exactly calm either — you're not alone. Most of us live in what meditation teacher Dr. Christiane Wolf calls "yellow mode": a state of low-level vigilance that keeps us productive, but also keeps us anxious, reactive, and exhausted. In this conversation with DJ Cash…

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Sebene Selassie On How To Be "Non-Attached" When the Stakes Are High 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

How do you stay calm when the stakes are sky-high — like your kid's health, your partner's wellbeing, or the future of the planet? How do you face chronic pain without falling into self-pity? And how do you actually turn meditation from a good intention into a real habit? In this bonus episode, Dan sits down with the brilliant meditation teacher an…

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How to Engage with Technology Without Losing Your Mind | Soren Gordhamer 1:14:49

2M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

How not to forget what actually matters. Soren Gordhamer is the host of Wisdom 2.0, a conference about mindfulness and compassion in the modern age. He's also a Co-Founder and General Partner of Wisdom Ventures, which invests in companies creating a more just and compassionate world. His new book is called THE ESSENTIAL: Discovering What Really Mat…

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#34 - Creating Stories That Empower: Princess Power, Barbie & Beyond | Elise Allen 1:00:28

2M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Emmy nominee and NYT Bestselling author Elise Allen has written for all ages, preschool to adult. She developed/showran Princess Power; other TV credits include Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid, and The Lion Guard. In features, she wrote The Pout Pout Fish, plus fifteen animated Barbie movies. Books include the Elixir series (with Hilary Duff), …

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Overwhelmed? Over-Scheduled? Burnt Out? Here's the Antidote. | Diana Hill 1:18:24

2M ago1:18:24

1:18:24

How to focus your "genius energy" on what matters most. Diana Hill, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, podcast host, and a leading expert on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—a revolutionary approach to psychology that is changing our understanding of mental health. She is the author of four books including I Know I Shou…

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How to Co-Opt All the Stuff That Gets in the Way of Your Meditation | Christiane Wolf 13:25

2M ago13:25

13:25

It's one of those ideas that sounds kind of like a Zen riddle, but actually turns out to be incredibly useful: what's in the way is the way. If you've ever sat down to meditate and thought, "Ugh, I can't focus — my mind's all over the place," or, "If only this restlessness would go away, then I could really meditate," this one's for you. Christiane…

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Is the News Making You Hate Everybody? Here's a Radical Antidote. 57:10

2M ago57:10

57:10

We're sharing an episode of The Paula Faris Show on which Dan was a guest. Here's Paula's introduction: From theological debates to newsroom banter, Dan Harris and I couldn't be more different — I grew up in a Midwest Conservative Christian home, while Dan grew up as an East Coast Liberal who had a Bar Mitzvah for the money (his words!). But our un…