Practical Wisdom with Dr. Rick Hanson

When you feel alone with your worries, disconnected from others, or burdened by old patterns you can’t seem to shake, it’s easy to think you’re supposed to handle everything by yourself. But science — and deep wisdom traditions — show that feeling genuinely supported is not a luxury; it’s essential for resilience, healing, and well-being. In this talk, we explore how to recognize and receive the social support already around you, and how to strengthen it inside your own mind.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.

When life feels shaky, fast-moving, or overwhelming, it’s natural to look for something steady to rest in. And for most people, there actually is a lot that protects and nurtures you every day — it’s just easy to take it for granted.So this week, I encourage you to really take in the deep nourishment of refuge—the places, people, practices, and inner qualities that help you feel protected, grounded, and replenished.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.

Explore how anxiety can manifest in unexpected ways, shaping our behaviors and choices. Delve into psychological insights that uncover the roots of anxiety and empower you to express your authentic self. Learn practical steps to gradually expand your comfort zone and release old patterns that no longer serve you. Discover the impact of embracing impermanence and recognizing our limited control in life. The conversation wraps up with a call to commit to reducing unnecessary anxiety and embracing a more confident existence.

A lot of us feel overwhelmed these days — flooded by other people’s emotions, worn down by the suffering around us, or confused about how to stay open-hearted without burning out. In this week’s teaching, I talk about the real nature of empathy, the sweetness of compassion, and how to stay grounded while engaging with a world that’s hurting. We explore how to be with our own reactions, how to keep our hearts open without collapsing, and how to move from individual healing to collective action that really makes a difference.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.

Explore the weight of old regrets and learn how to balance responsibility with self-forgiveness. Delve into a childhood story that highlights the impact of past choices and the importance of owning our actions. Discover practical steps for emotional release, including feeling remorse, making amends, and seeking forgiveness. Gain perspective on your history to ease self-judgment and cultivate compassion for yourself and others. Learn how to live deliberately to avoid future burdens while embracing daily practices of goodness and inner stillness.

Dive into the exploration of our innate goodness, even when we react harshly. Discover how neurotic behaviors stem from good intentions wanting to protect us. Learn about the powerful faucet metaphor for mindfulness to clear mental clutter. Reflect on ordinary acts of generosity as the backbone of society. Balance anger with compassion in political engagement for effective action. Plus, find out how to nurture positive intentions and release reactivity in daily relationships. Join in for mindfulness and shared insights!

Feeling stuck in your habits? Discover how to break free by facing challenges with patience. Explore the delicate balance of helping others while respecting their choices, and learn the importance of mental training for lasting happiness. Rick shares insights on making deliberate choices, reclaiming your inner goodness, and embracing both personal agency and the flow of the universe. Gain practical tips for taking responsibility for your life and letting go of fruitless efforts to truly empower both yourself and others.

Anxiety is a normal human experience — we all feel anxious or afraid sometimes — but excessive or chronic anxiety can wear us down and be detrimental to our long-term happiness and health. Plus, many of us are anxious about things that we don’t actually need to be anxious about.In this talk, I shared some ideas on how to prevent and release needless anxiety.Some key points that I covered are:We can feel undisturbed, undefended, and uncontracted in the moment — which is what we meditated on.In order to receive the present moment without fear, we have to recognize that the brain is a prediction machine and can be stuck in predictions, especially regarding fear.The scientific understanding of how the brain generalizes fear, including the biological and neurological mechanisms involved.Strategies for preventing and managing overgeneralized fear, including mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-awareness practices.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.

It’s easy to feel hurt, frustrated, or reactive when others let us down — or when we’re caught in old patterns of resentment and blame. But we actually have the power to influence how we see, feel about, and respond to other people. So this week I explored how to “love at will,” make positive deposits in our emotional memory bank, and draw on timeless Buddhist wisdom to live with more kindness, integrity, and peace — even when others are difficult.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.

In these turbulent times, it’s natural to feel shaken. Together, we can return to what is truly reliable—our present moment, our good intentions, our capacity to love, the steadiness of awareness, and the enduring ground of nature and the universe. These refuges give us strength, clarity, and peace, even amid uncertainty.You’re welcome to join me live each week for these talks—for free—by signing up here. We always start with a guided meditation to set the tone for the evening. If you’d like to experience the meditation that accompanied this talk, you can listen to it here.And if you'd like to check out any of my online programs, you can receive 20% off by using coupon code PW20 during checkout.