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Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

Ten Percent Happier

Dan Harris is a fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live national television, which led him to try something he otherwise never would have considered: meditation. He went on to write the bestselling book, 10% Happier. On this show, Dan talks with eminent meditation teachers, top scientists, and even the odd celebrity. Guests include everyone from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Brené Brown to Karamo from Queer Eye. On some episodes, Dan ventures into the deep end of the pool, covering subjects such as enlightenment and psychedelics. On other episodes, it’s science-based techniques for issues such as anxiety, productivity, and relationships. Dan's approach is seemingly modest, but secretly radical: happiness is a skill you can train, just like working your bicep in the gym. Your progress may be incremental at first, but like any good investment, it compounds over time.

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free. Listen 1-week early and to all episodes ad-free with Wondery+ or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

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Our Editor's Take

Is happiness more than a feeling? Is it possible for human beings to achieve inner peace and happiness? On his podcast, Ten Percent Happier, former Good Morning America and ABC News anchor Dan Harris explores these topics. After he found his anxiety troublingly affecting his work, he sought to make a change. A skeptic, Dan had never been a believer in meditation. Developing a fresh perspective, Dan sought to find this joy and created this podcast. His goal here is to help listeners become ten percent happier.

Dan explores happiness with meditation teachers, authors, and celebrities. The topics discussed are wide-ranging and involve exploring joy and well-being. The discussions touch on Buddhist meditation, self-compassion, and mindfulness.

Dan and guests discuss the benefits of meditation, its practices, and the science behind it. They also study integrating meditation practices into daily life. One frequent guest on the show is legendary meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. Salzberg is the founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS). Her partners in this effort were meditation teachers Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield.

Listeners will also hear from Buddhist monks. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche helped Dan uncover how Buddhist monks deal with anxiety. Popular TED speakers Brené Brown and Esther Perel also appear on the show. They speak about managing difficult emotions and the power of friendship.

New episodes of Ten Percent Happier debut on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A little more happiness is as near as the play button.

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Episodes

How To Be Productive Without Burning Out | Cal Newport
Available on Mar 25 2024
How To Be Productive Without Burning Out | Cal Newport
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.---Slow productivity: achievement without burnout.Cal Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University where he is also a founding member of the Center for Digital Ethics. In addition to his academic work, Newport is a New York Times bestselling author who writes for a general audience about the intersection of technology, productivity, and culture. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over forty languages. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker and hosts the popular Deep Questions podcast.  In this episode we talk about:How overload culture wears us out and makes us less productiveThe rise of “pseudo-productivity” in office culture The three tenets of slow productivity: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over qualitySign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/cal-newport-745 Additional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Upsides And Downsides Of Living A More Examined Life | Matt Harris
Available on Mar 20 2024
The Upsides And Downsides Of Living A More Examined Life | Matt Harris
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.---Do you struggle to fit meditation into a busy life? Check out this candid conversation with Dan’s younger brother, Matt.Matt Harris is partner at Bain Capital Ventures, where he’s developed an expertise in Fintech, or financial technology. He’s also a father of six incredible children. He is 17 months younger than Dan, to the day. And as you will hear, he likes to make fun of his neurotic brother. In fact, he shows up a lot in Dan's first book, 10% Happier, mocking Dan for his budding interest in meditation.In this episode we talk about:Practical tips from Joseph GoldsteinThe books that have been integral to Matt's processTips on starting a practice. The biggest issues for meditatorsHow not to try too hardHow awareness of the ego impacts work,The upsides and downsides of living a more examined life.Related Episodes:Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/matt-harris-743Additional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joseph Goldstein On: Karma, Rebirth, And Other Planes Of Existence
Yesterday
Joseph Goldstein On: Karma, Rebirth, And Other Planes Of Existence
We explore the intellectual and practical aspects of these mystical and esoteric concepts.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 Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, A Heart Full of Peace, One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism, Insight Meditation and The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation. Joseph has studied and practiced meditation since 1967 under the guidance of eminent teachers from India, Burma, and Tibet and he leads Insight Meditation retreats around the world.In this episode we talk about:Why Joseph has become more comfortable talking about these concepts as he’s gotten olderWhy karma should not be seen as a deterministic principle that rules every aspect of our livesThe connection between karma and past livesWhat he thinks about the concept of free will and how it relates to karma And why skeptics would do well to adopt a mindset characterized by the “willing suspension of disbelief” Additional Links:Joseph’s Dharma Seed Talk: Understanding Karma Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist MasterFree Will by Sam HarrisIMS’s Forest Refuge ProgramThe Barre Center for Buddhist StudiesRelated Episodes:Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. Nirvana | Joseph GoldsteinTo order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/joseph-goldstein-742See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Mark Epstein On: How To Transform Your Neuroses Into “Little Shmoos”
6d ago
Dr. Mark Epstein On: How To Transform Your Neuroses Into “Little Shmoos”
A Buddhist psychiatrist (and one of the key players in Dan’s meditation career) talks about the overlap between Freud and the dharma.Mark Epstein M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, is the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life and Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself. His latest work, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life, was published in 2022 by Penguin Press. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. He has been a student of vipassana meditation since 1974.In this episode we talk about:The insubstantial nature of thoughts Staying present through anything without clinging or condemning. Turning down the ego and focusing on othersHow you transform your neuroses from monsters to little shmoos. And whether 10% is the right number?Related Episodes:Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. Sam Harris on: Vipassana vs. Dzogchen, Looking for the Looker, and Psychic PowersFor more information on Dan & Mark's retreat in Arizona: we don't have the link available yet but will update here as soon as we do!To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/mark-epstein-10thAdditional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation Retreats But Were Afraid To Ask | Spring Washam (And Dan’s Close Friend, Zev Borow)
Mar 11 2024
Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation Retreats But Were Afraid To Ask | Spring Washam (And Dan’s Close Friend, Zev Borow)
Am I a bad meditator if I don’t go on a retreat? What do they entail? How do I stay silent for days on end? How do I get into one? What’s the food like?Spring Washam is the author of two books, A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage and Wisdom in Any Moment and The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground. She is also one of the founding teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center and is the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys, a one-of-a-kind organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom for transformative retreats in South America.In this episode we talk about:Whether or not you’re a bad meditator if you don’t go on a retreatWhat the specifics of a retreat entailsHow you stay silent for days on endAnd how to actually get into a meditation retreatRelated Episodes:Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/spring-washam-zev-borowAdditional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Deepak Chopra On: Consciousness, Quantum Physics, Handling Criticism, And The Benefit Of Contemplating Your Own Death
Mar 6 2024
Deepak Chopra On: Consciousness, Quantum Physics, Handling Criticism, And The Benefit Of Contemplating Your Own Death
A wide ranging interview with one the biggest and most controversial names in the self-help world. Deepak Chopra is the founder of the Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality. He is a best selling author, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His new book, Quantum Body: The New Science of Living a Longer, Healthier, More Vital Life, is out now. In this episode we talk about:Deepak’s definition of the quantum fieldHow Deepak handles criticism The concept of creative intelligence Breathing techniques, including vagal breathing and box breathingThe benefits of imagining your own death The exercise of returning to your zero pointThe concept of the body as a verbAnd the difference between the localized 'I' and the non-local 'I'Related Episodes: Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/deepak-chopraSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Here's What I Learned From Writing A Whole Book About Meditation | Dan Harris
Mar 4 2024
Here's What I Learned From Writing A Whole Book About Meditation | Dan Harris
The tables have turned: Dan is interviewed by two of his producers.This is the kickoff episode of our upcoming series celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dan’s book, where two of Dan’s producers, DJ Cashmere and Lauren Smith, interview him.We talk about the story behind the book, what it was like to have a panic attack on national television, why Dan decided to admit it publicly, how the success of the book utterly transformed his life, and what he learned… Both while writing the book and subsequently.We talk about concepts such as “Respond, not react,” why our faults aren’t our fault (but they are our responsibility), and whether we all have the capacity to change. DJ and Lauren will even weigh in on how they think Dan’s doing on the score.To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/736-10th-anniversaryAdditional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How to Stay Calm No Matter What’s Happening | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren
Feb 21 2024
How to Stay Calm No Matter What’s Happening | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren
A master class in equanimity. It’s the latest installment of our Meditation Party series. Live from Omega.Sebene Selassie describes herself as a “writer, teacher, and immigrant-weirdo.” She teaches meditation on the Ten Percent Happier app and is the author of a great book called You Belong. She’s based in Brooklyn. Jeff Warren is also a writer and a meditation teacher. He and Dan co-wrote the book, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics. He also hosts the Consciousness Explorers podcast. He’s based in Toronto. Tickets for the two more Meditation Party retreats this year at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York are available now. The last one was a blast. Come join us for both. One is in May, the other October. For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereRelated Episodes:Meditation Party: The “Sh*t Is Fertilizer” Edition | Sebene Selassie & Jeff WarrenMeditation Party with Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren: Psychedelics, ADHD, Waking Up From Distraction, and Singing Without Being Self-ConsciousMeditation Party: Magic, Mystery, Intuition, Tattoos, and Non-Efforting | Sebene Selassie and Jeff WarrenNirvana | Joseph Goldstein A More Relaxed Way to Meditate | Alexis Santos Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/medparty-omegaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Science-Based Tools for When You’re Stressed, Obsessed, or Overthinking | Dr. Jenny Taitz
Feb 19 2024
Science-Based Tools for When You’re Stressed, Obsessed, or Overthinking | Dr. Jenny Taitz
Simple tools you can knit into your life both for when you’re actively freaking out, and for preventing future trips down the anxiety toilet. Dr. Jenny Taitz is a clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Taitz completed her fellowship in psychology at Yale University School of Medicine and achieved board certifications in both cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Her new book, Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes, is out now. In this episode we talk about:The difference between stress and anxietyJenny’s take on the use of benzodiazepinesWhat she means by, “negative core beliefs”, and how to untangle ourselves from themHow to prepare in advance for stressful situationsThe benefit of giving yourself a deliberate panic attackAnd why stress, while uncomfortable, is actually part of a healthy and meaningful lifeAdditional Links: How to Be Single and Happy by Dr. Jenny TaitzBreathe • Calm down • Meditate Three-Minute Breathing SpaceRelated Episodes:Can Anxiety Be a Gift? | Dr. David RosmarinZach Braff On: Anxiety, Sobriety, Insomnia, Grief, Social Media, and the Meaning of the Tattoo on His WristFor tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/jenny-taitz-730See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How Not to Ruin Your Relationships | Drs. John & Julie Gottman
Feb 14 2024
How Not to Ruin Your Relationships | Drs. John & Julie Gottman
What 40 years of research tells us about how to cultivate good relationships in our lives.World-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction, Dr. John Gottman has conducted over 40 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples. He is the co-founder of The Gottman Institute and Affective Software Inc. as well as author of over 200 published academic articles and author or co-author of more than 40 books, including The New York Times bestseller The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Dr. Julie Gottman is the Co-Founder and President of The Gottman Institute and Co-Founder of Affective Software, Inc. A highly respected clinical psychologist and author, she is sought internationally by media and organizations as an expert advisor on marriage, domestic violence, gay and lesbian adoption, same-sex marriage, and parenting issues. She is the co-creator of the immensely popular The Art and Science of Love weekend workshop for couples and she also co-designed the national clinical training program in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. In this episode we talk about:how to talk (and listen) to your partner in moments of conflictwhat to do before you start trying to solve a problem togetherwhy “there’s no such thing as constructive criticism” the details of John’s research findings, which have allowed him to predict with stunning accuracy whether a couple will get divorcedhow the Gottmans themselves do when it comes to operationalizing their findings/advicehow and why betrayal occurswhen a couple should consider separating the role mindfulness can play in healthy relationshipsand the role of humor in relationships.Related Episodes:Six Buddhist Strategies for Getting Along Better with Everyone | Sister True DedicationThe Science of Emotional Intelligence | Daniel GolemanImproving Your Relationships - Buddhist Style | Martine BatchelorSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFor tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click here Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/gottmans-418-rerunAdditional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Fight Right: The Science of Healthy Conflict | Drs. John and Julie Gottman
Feb 12 2024
Fight Right: The Science of Healthy Conflict | Drs. John and Julie Gottman
Conflict doesn’t have to suck. These iconic relationship researchers tell us how. Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection is the name of a new book by esteemed guests Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman.They are the co-Founders of The Gottman Institute and have completed over 40 years of research with more than 3,000 couples. John is the researcher; Julie the clinician. They have written several books together, including Eight Dates and The Love Prescription.Even though the majority of the Gottmans’ research is on couples, the advice is applicable to all types of relationships.  In this episode we talk about:The three principle conflict stylesWhy we often don’t understand what it is we’re fighting aboutPerpetual problems vs. Solvable problemsWhy the first three minutes of an argument are key The simple sentence to use at the beginning of an argumentHow to downregulate defensiveness in an argumentWhy the Gottmans’ believe there is no such thing as constructive criticismWhy apologizing quickly isn’t always the right moveWhen a fight might spell the end Related Episodes:Dan Savage on how to handle disappointment in your relationships, how to get better at sex, and why “a couple” is an IllusionLori Brotto on mindful sexDevon and Craig Hase on how not to be a hot messMyisha Battle on love, sex, dating, and relationship mythsSign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFor tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click here Full Shownotes: http://tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/gottmans-726See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.