10% Happier with Dan Harris How to Make it in Hollywood (and everywhere else), Brian Grazer
Oct 30, 2019
Brian Grazer, an Oscar-winning producer and bestselling author, shares how curiosity fuels his success in Hollywood. He reflects on his early days delivering papers at Warner Bros. and overcoming dyslexia to forge powerful connections. Grazer reveals the significance of eye contact and meaningful conversations in building relationships. He also discusses the calming effects of transcendental meditation on anxiety and how smartphones impact genuine interactions. His latest book, "Face to Face", emphasizes the art of human connection.
01:16:30
Curiosity as a Survival Tactic
- Brian Grazer, dyslexic as a child, avoided eye contact to escape shame in school.
- Later, he realized eye contact unlocked learning, making people his textbooks.
Turning Five Minutes into an Hour
- As a law clerk, Grazer delivered papers to Hollywood giants like Warren Beatty.
- He insisted on personal delivery, turning five-minute tasks into hour-long conversations.
Building Rootability
- Acknowledge shared humanity to build relatability.
- Relatability creates rootability, making others more receptive.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Curiosity and Connection in Hollywood
04:32 • 13min
Navigating Connections: Confidence and Curiosity
17:50 • 18min
Facing Fears and Embracing Culture
35:56 • 6min
The Art of Meaningful Conversations
42:09 • 9min
The Power of Curiosity and Empathy
50:40 • 7min
The Impact of Smartphones on Human Connection
57:44 • 2min
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Resilience
01:00:13 • 8min
Creativity, Advocacy, and Mindfulness
01:08:40 • 13min
Face to Face
None
Tomas Tranströmer
The Exorcist
William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty, tells the story of Regan MacNeil, a 12-year-old girl who becomes possessed by an evil spirit.
Her mother, Chris MacNeil, a successful actress, seeks help from two priests: Father Damien Karras, a Jesuit priest and psychiatrist struggling with his faith, and Father Lankester Merrin, an elderly priest with experience in exorcisms.
The novel explores themes of faith, redemption, and the battle between good and evil as the priests perform an exorcism to save Regan.
The story is intense and graphic, delving into the psychological and supernatural aspects of the possession and the exorcism process.
It was inspired by a real-life case of demonic possession in the 1940s and has become a classic in the horror genre.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills.
The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.
Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument.
The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours.
It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.
A Curious Mind Expanded Edition
The Secret to a Bigger Life
Brian Grazer
Charles Fishman
In 'A Curious Mind Expanded Edition', Brian Grazer shares insights on how curiosity has driven his success in Hollywood, while 'Face to Face' highlights the importance of personal connections sparked by curiosity.
The book offers a blueprint for awakening one's own curiosity to live a more fulfilling life.
Waking Up
A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris argues that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow.
He explores the scientific underpinnings of spirituality, suggesting that how we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the quality of our lives.
The book is part memoir and part exploration, discussing the illusion of the self, the benefits of meditation, and the importance of understanding consciousness through both scientific and philosophical lenses.
The Power of Now
A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Eckhart Tolle
In 'The Power of Now', Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
The book draws from various spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and mysticism, to explain how people's emotional problems are rooted in their identification with their minds.
Tolle argues that the present moment is the only truly real time and that past and future are mere mental constructs.
He provides methods for relaxation and meditation to help readers anchor themselves in the present, such as avoiding multitasking, spending time in nature, and letting go of worries about the future.
The book also introduces concepts like the 'pain-body' and the distinction between one's thoughts and true self, emphasizing the need to recognize and separate from the destructive influence of the mind.
Why Buddhism is True
The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Robert Wright
In this book, Robert Wright argues that Buddhism offers a secular, Westernized approach to mindfulness meditation that can help individuals and society by reducing suffering and increasing empathy.
He draws on evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience to support Buddhist teachings, such as the concept of 'no-self' and the nature of human suffering.
The book is a personal journey that began with Wright's work on evolutionary psychology and deepened through his practice of meditation and conversations with skilled meditators.
It aims to show how Buddhist principles can be applied in a secular age to improve individual and societal well-being.
Meditation for fidgety skeptics
Dan Harris
Buddhism without beliefs
Stephen Batchelor
In this book, Stephen Batchelor argues that the Buddha's teachings are not something to believe in but something to practice.
He suggests that Buddhism should be stripped of its metaphysical and religious elements, such as reincarnation and karma, to reveal a more existential, therapeutic, and liberating agnosticism.
Batchelor emphasizes that the Buddha's teachings are about understanding the nature of anguish, letting go of its origins, and creating a way of life that is available to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.
The book includes simple meditation exercises and encourages readers to engage with Buddhist principles in a practical and meaningful way.
Going to pieces without falling apart
Mark Epstein
In this book, Mark Epstein argues that happiness does not come from material or psychological acquisitiveness but from letting go.
He weaves together the wisdom of Buddhism and Western psychotherapy to illustrate how balancing the ego's need to do with our inherent capacity to be is crucial for achieving happiness.
Epstein encourages readers to relax the ever-vigilant mind and relinquish control to experience freedom and a more peaceful, spiritually satisfying life.
The book draws on events from his own life and stories from his patients to teach the importance of self-acceptance and the benefits of meditation in achieving this balance.
Brian Grazer is a Hollywood giant! He’s made more than 100 films including Splash, Apollo 13 and the best-picture-winning A Beautiful Mind. He tells Dan this week how he has used his own curiosity in others to build powerful relationships. He takes us back to when he was a law clerk at Warner Bros. delivering papers to the biggest names in Hollywood and how he was able to overcome personal obstacles to strike up conversations he would turn into connections. Grazer also discusses how he uses transcendental meditation to calm feelings of anxiety and fear. We also discuss his latest book, Face to Face: The Art of Human Connection, his secrets on how to engage with others, and the importance of eye contact is when it comes to building relationships. Plug Zone Face to Face: https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Contact-Power-Personal-Connection/dp/1501147722 A Curious Mind: http://www.grazeriscurious.com/ Social: @BrianGrazer An Evening with Joseph Goldstein and Dan Harris: Staying Sane in a Crazy World https://www.nyimc.org/event/an-evening-with-joseph-goldstein-and-dan-harris-staying-sane-in-a-crazy-world/ Dan’s Book Recommendations: https://www.tenpercent.com/reading Ten Percent Happier Podcast Insiders Feedback Group: https://10percenthappier.typeform.com/to/vHz4q4 Have a question for Dan? Leave us a voicemail: 646-883-8326