Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

In this conversation from the Life After COVID Summit, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore joins Forrest to help us put the past in perspective, and relate in healthier and more whole ways to the many things we've lost over the past year. Last weekend Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson were joined by 11 world-class experts for a FREE three-day online event to explore how we can recover from old wounds, build key strengths, and create a better future together. Over 10,000 people joined us for the Summit, and we received incredible feedback.If you missed it, all of the conversations will remain freely available through May 25th. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:2:00: Mortality salience. 5:00: Putting “little stresses” in context alongside the big ones. 6:40: The problems with “getting back to normal,” and our new opportunities.12:10: Remember what has happened, and turning toward grief. 15:30: Practices that support us during grief. 20:30: The importance of social support.26:50: How we can support people who are grieving.30:15: Should we name the people who are no longer here?31:55: Understanding the trauma associated with grief. 39:50: Working with anger. 43:40: Using the body as a tool for healing.48:00: Caregiver fatigue.53:30: Survival guilt. 57:30: Advice for the future. 59:20: RecapSupport the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Start a new healthy habit with Seed! Visit seed.com/beingwell and use code BEINGWELL to get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.Build healthy habits with Most Days! Download it in the App Store or go to MostDays.com/beingwell for more information.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re focusing on a topic that’s been particularly important over the last year: how we can deal more effectively with life's major disruptions. This includes recovering from setbacks, finding the opportunities, and even getting the most out of disruptions that are positive. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:0:55: “One mistake after another.”1:55: Life After COVID Summit.5:30: The opportunities in major disruptions.9:00: The impact of social environments on our self-identity.11:10: The Theory of Positive Disintegration.13:30: Framing disruption as a normal feature of life.18:30: Examples of normal disruptions that occur in life.21:45: The importance of social support.23:30: Practices to limit the harm during a moment of disruption.31:15: The necessity of eventually processing the emotion.36:00: Taking the time you need.39:15: Moving into action.42:20: Integrating a disruption.47:50: Orienting toward change. 52:00: Mindfulness of contraction and expansion.54:20: RecapSponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Build healthy habits with Most Days! Download it in the App Store or go to MostDays.com/beingwell for more information.Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Start a new healthy habit with Seed! Visit seed.com/beingwell and use code BEINGWELL to get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan McConnell discusses Somatic Internal Family Systems therapy, exploring relationships between internal parts, common parts people have, and using the body for awareness. She explains the benefits of somatic psychotherapy, the practices of somatic IFS, and unifying parts. The episode emphasizes finding protector parts and integrating mind and body for a harmonious life.

Henry Shukman, a Zen Master, discusses self-transcendent experiences, relaxing self-identification, and the warm heart of Zen practice. They explore the role of transcendent experiences, the importance of virtue, and the risks of seeking self-transcendence. They also touch on non-separateness and fear around not-self. Henry shares his transformative Zen practice and profound awakening, while also discussing the challenges of integrating breakthrough experiences into understanding.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton joins Rick and Forrest to discuss everything you need to know about the current state of the pandemic. This includes what vaccinated people should feel comfortable doing, the J&J vaccine pause, how to think about risk, and how we can support our mental health during the New Normal. About Our Guest: Dr. Ashton is the Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, and has appeared on the ABC Network up to 14 hours a day in order to bring viewers important medical information. She is in regular contact with public health officials, including the Surgeon General and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Dr. Ashton is also the bestselling author of six books, including her recently published book The New Normal: A Roadmap to Resilience in the Pandemic Era. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:3:10: Why can’t we just go back to the “old normal?”6:10: Being realistic about uncertainty.7:45: The J&J vaccine pause, and why this is encouraging.11:15: How to think about risk.14:30: What should vaccinated people feel comfortable doing?18:30: What else can we do to support our health right now?20:25: The communication challenges of the pandemic.24:40: How to “think like a doctor,” and approach new medical information.27:30: Respecting the common good with our choices.33:50: Mental health during a pandemic.37:00: The RAIN method.40:20: Compassion, grief, and interconnection.44:00: The lack of preparation, and hopes for the future.Forrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Start a new healthy habit with Seed! Visit seed.com/beingwell and use code BEINGWELL to get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the "point" of meditation, and how can we build a practice that works for us? In this episode Rick and Forrest clear up some common misconceptions about meditation, explore major forms of meditation, and share how you can get more out of your practice.Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:1:15: Forrest’s history with meditation, and some of the benefits of practice.5:30: What’s the “point” of meditation?11:30: Skepticism toward narrow views of meditation.14:10: Do you have to be “spiritual” or “religious” to meditate?14:45: Three breaths practice.16:30: Secular vs. spiritual orientations toward meditation.17:45: The two major tools: insight vs. “calming” meditation. 20:40: Virtue, concentration, and wisdom.23:20: The tendency to “skip” to insight. 26:30: Why Rick meditates.32:30: What does it mean to be an “intermediate” or “advanced” meditator?34:15: What are some of the forms meditation can take?47:45: RecapAs a quick note, there's a little background noise at some moments during the episode.Forrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Start a new healthy habit with Seed! Visit seed.com/beingwell and use code BEINGWELL to get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last year we’ve all been through a lot. In addition to the many major costs, there have been smaller, subtler costs as well, including a pervasive feeling of anxiety. In this episode, Rick and Forrest walk through a normal experience of anxiety and offer some suggestions for how to overcome it. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:3:30: Accepting the presence of anxiety.6:30: Recognize what’s alright right now.10:00: Finding heart, and connecting with other people.18:30: Take action. 26:30: Appreciating the biological part of anxiety.32:00: Surrendering to what will happen.37:00: What enables surrender?41:20: Recap.Forrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Start a new healthy habit with Seed! Visit seed.com/beingwell and use code BEINGWELL to get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior meditation teacher Stephen Snyder discusses topics like 'not-self,' the true nature of the self, and self-transcendence. He explores why contemplative teachers behave badly, the fear of emptiness, and maintaining practice in everyday life. Snyder also touches on the purpose and limitations of meditation, the threat of change, and practices for self-transcendence.

One of the hardest, and most important, parts of creating great relationships is setting healthy boundaries with other people. Boundaries expert Nedra Glover Tawwab joins the show to explore how we can trust our instincts, work through codependency, and build better boundaries. About Our Guest: Nedra has been a therapist for 13 years, and focuses on helping people build better relationships by teaching them how to implement healthy boundaries. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Psychology Today, Self, and Vice, and she’s the author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, on sale now.You also might have encountered Nedra’s work on Instagram, where she has an extremely popular page that shares wonderful content. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts including Nedra during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:1:40: What drew Nedra to her work on boundaries. 4:25: Early signs that your boundaries are strong or flimsy.6:20: Honoring the needs of children.8:45: Trusting your instincts. 11:40: Codependency.13:05: How healthy boundaries support intimate relationships.15:15: Distinctions between different kinds of boundaries17:20: Working with feelings of selfishness. 19:45: Walking through a process of setting a boundary. 23:30: Anxiety associated with setting boundaries. 26:00: Dealing with people who won’t change. 30:40: Self-esteem and self-worth.35:55: Fear and guilt.39:50: Teaching people that boundaries are okay.44:30: Respecting the boundaries of other people.46:30: Accepting and letting go.51:00: Creating healthy internal boundaries.54:00: A message to your younger self. Forrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Steven C. Hayes, joins the show to help us explore how to use techniques from this powerful approach to therapy to address major challenges and improve our wellbeing.About our Guest: Dr. Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology of the University of Nevada. He's the creator of ACT, and the  author of 44 books and over 600 scientific articles. His most recent book is A Liberated Mind: How To Pivot Toward What Matters, an essential guide to ACT. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts including Dr. Hayes during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:2:25: The basics of ACT.5:30: The Lord of the Rings and psychological flexibility.7:15: Accepting our own history. 10:45: How can we accept painful things?13:45: Language, technology, and how it gets in the way.18:00: Coming into the present moment.21:00: Determinism, autonomy, and agency.26:30: How can we make change last?29:30: Steven’s experience with accepting tinnitus. 34:45: How to keep growing when the world pushes back.45:30: Giving people an opportunity to impress you.49:00: Dealing with anger. 53:30: Pitfalls while using ACT. 56:10: RecapForrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices