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 some of the most common pain points meditators face:
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Why trying to force certain feelings (gratitude, calm, compassion) often backfires
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Whether worry is ever actually helpful—and how to tell when it's not
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How to work with fear while waiting for a health diagnosis
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What to do when gratitude or loving-kindness practice triggers sadness or anxiety
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How consumerism (hello, holiday season) fuels craving and unease
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When mindfulness is enough—and when psychological work is needed to avoid spiritual bypassing
Christiane offers practical tools for meeting worry with kindness, curiosity, and clarity—including how to "name it to tame it," how to gently redirect attention without suppression, and how to relate to anxious or critical thoughts as parts rather than as who you are.
This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply humane—especially for anyone who worries that they're "doing meditation wrong" or feels guilty for not feeling better fast enough.
Recorded live during a subscriber Q&A session – join us at DanHarris.com to be part of these sessions as they happen!
Related Episodes:
How to Outsmart Your Pain | Christiane WolfIs Your Ambition Rooted in Trauma? | Christiane Wolf
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