10% Happier with Dan Harris

In this engaging discussion, Jay Michaelson, an accomplished author, meditation teacher, and LGBT activist, dives deep into the intersection of politics, spirituality, and mindfulness. He candidly shares his experiences with imposter syndrome and the complexities of authenticity in various life roles. Jay also highlights the importance of meditation in activism and personal relationships, while exploring the balance between indulgence and self-awareness. Plus, he offers insights on navigating the challenges of mindful parenting, all while embracing the joys of everyday life.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC's Chief Medical Correspondent and author of 'Life After Suicide', shares her personal journey through the devastation of her ex-husband's suicide. She discusses the profound impact of grief and the healing power of meditation, emphasizing resilience amid trauma. Ashton highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations surrounding suicide. She also reflects on how to transform pain into purposeful action, helping others navigate their own losses.

Dolly Chugh, an award-winning psychologist and professor at NYU Stern, discusses the importance of recognizing our biases. She emphasizes how implicit bias and bounded ethicality influence our decisions and interactions. Chugh advocates for a 'good-ish' mindset, promoting continuous learning in diversity and inclusion. She highlights meditation as a powerful tool for self-awareness and combatting biases, encouraging listeners to navigate the complexities of identity with compassion and openness for genuine growth.

Anuradha Bhagwati, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of the Service Women's Action Network, shares her powerful story of activism against military sexual assault. She discusses her journey through trauma, healing, and the transformative impact of meditation. Bhagwati emphasizes the need for cultural change within the military and highlights the importance of community support for veterans. With insights from her memoir, she explores the interplay between identity, mental health, and the complexities of navigating systemic issues faced by women in service.

Join Gretchen Rubin, a renowned writer known for her bestsellers and insights into human nature, as she explores the powerful link between decluttering and happiness. She shares strategies like the one-minute rule and emphasizes how physical space can enhance mental well-being. The discussion touches on emotional challenges of letting go, shopping habits, and the benefits of online therapy. With practical tips for a more organized life, Rubin inspires listeners to prioritize their environment for greater clarity and joy.

Mirabai Bush, an expert in meditation and co-author of 'Walking Each Other Home,' shares insights on navigating love and mortality. She discusses how contemplating death can enhance gratitude and mindfulness in life. Bush reflects on her transformative journey from the 1960s, her experiences with Ram Dass, and the rise of meditation in professional settings like Google. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing mortality to foster deeper connections and emotional growth, advocating for open discussions about life's impermanence.

Arthur C. Brooks, a social scientist and author, discusses the culture of contempt in America, the effectiveness of meditation techniques, and the importance of productive conversations and disagreements. He also shares his insights on responding to contempt with warmth and kindness, embracing decline, and seeking deeper meaning in one's profession.

Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter, experts in meditation and mindfulness for leaders, discuss enhancing performance for large organizations. They share their journey into meditation and mindfulness, explore implementing mindfulness in meetings, talk about the impact of mindfulness on sleep, and highlight the qualities of effective leaders. They also discuss the challenges of compassion in leadership and provide insights on implementing mindfulness in daily work activities.

Having dreamed of space since she was a little girl, Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides wants to use the power of space to shift our perspectives, connect us with each other and our home planet and become the kind of species we would be proud to send to the nearest star. She studied astrobiology at Stanford and Caltech, and has done research on plant life in the Canadian Arctic with NASA, dove to the bottom of the ocean with Titanic Director James Cameron and floated weightless hundreds of times as a Flight Director for Zero Gravity Corporation. She currently teaches leadership and development, as well as mindfulness, to the staff at Virgin Galactic. She believes space and mindfulness have the power to bring the world together in a way that will help expand our minds and grow as a species. The Plug Zone Website: http://lorettawhitesides.com/ Website: https://www.thenewrightstuff.com/ Twitter: @lorettahidalgo

Neuroscientist, philosopher, best-selling author and podcast host Sam Harris teams up with Dan this week for a special podcast recorded in front of a live audience. Dan and Sam discuss a variety of topics including what meditation is and what it isn't, different types of meditation and they offer insight on meditation retreats. They also answer an array of questions from their live audience. This special program took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on May 4th, 2018. Have a question for Dan? Leave us a voicemail at 646-883-8326. The Plug Zone Website: https://samharris.org/