Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

For episode 275, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, out now! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here.For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the family systems that support them. For the fourth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Ali Smith, Andres Gonzales and Atman Smith of the Holistic Life Foundation.Andy, Ali, and Atman co-founded the Holistic Life Foundation in 2001, a non-profit organization bringing yoga, meditation, and breath-work to thousands of at-risk kids in Baltimore and beyond. Their work has received wide national attention due to their remarkable results in public schools where suspension rates plummet and graduation rates skyrocket. Outside of the Holistic Life Foundation, Ali, Atman, and Andy also teach to diverse populations worldwide, including drug treatment centers, mental crisis facilities, homeless shelters, and Yoga, Wellness, and Mindfulness Festivals. Their first book, “Let Your Light Shine” was published in 2022 by Penguin Random House.In this conversation, Sharon, Atman, Andres and Ali speak about:• The creation of the Holistic Life Foundation• Experiencing meditation early in life• Working in underserved communities• Teaching with trauma awareness• HLF Retreats and certification programs • The importance of sharing love • Benefits of mindfulness for kids• Partnering with schools and education systems • Modifying practice for younger minds• How to champion love• Encouraging authentic, in-person interaction• Giving from a place of overflow• Caring for ourselves to better care for othersThe episode closes with a guided practice. You can learn more about the Holistic Life Foundation’s work on their website, right here. And get a copy of the book“Let Your Light Shine” right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon joins Raghu and Duncan on the Mindrolling Podcast to discuss the loving-kindness lessons in her first children’s book, Kind Karl. Together, they explore how mindful kids grow into mindful adults and why these teachings matter.Kind Karl will be released on 12/9! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here. This time on Mindrolling, Duncan, Sharon, and Raghu connect over:Sharon’s upcoming children’s book on mindfulness and loving-kindness, Kind KarlUnderstanding how habits like greed and fear begin in early childhoodHow issues like greed have roots in early childhoodLearning from Karl the Crocodile: navigating big feelings, mistakes, and emotional complexityKarl the Crocodile as an inspiration for parents dealing with guilt and stressMaking mindfulness accessible and engaging for children of all agesPutting our thoughts onto clouds and allowing them to float awayLoving-kindness meditations for kids: getting the whole family into mindfulness practiceAbout Sharon Salzberg:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com and check out Insight Meditation Society.“It’s not a small thing to have even a little act of kindness because of what’s happening to us inside. That’s something Karl the Crocodile gets into. He really decides to change when he makes that experiment, which can be kind of radical: help them instead of hurt them, help yourself, and forgive yourself. How does it feel inside when we choose that?” –Sharon SalzbergAbout Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com."It starts right at the beginning, they want each other's toys. This is built into us. Whenever you look out into the world at the stuff going on and the big picture, it really isn't that different from siblings, except the problem is that these are adults and there isn't anyone to tell them, okay, you're getting a time out." –Duncan TrussellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Meena Srinivasan, an educational leader and author known for her integration of mindfulness and social-emotional learning, shares insights from her spiritual roots and teaching journey. She emphasizes the necessity of SEL in fostering emotional intelligence, which supports both academic success and adult well-being. Meena introduces practical mindfulness tools for classrooms and home, explores the concept of tenderness in education, and emphasizes community's role in learning. Her innovative approach connects personal growth with transformative teaching practices.

For episode 273, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, coming out on December 9th!Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the family systems that support them. For the second episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Dr. Christopher Willard.Chris is a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of numerous publications for children and adults. An internationally sought-after speaker and mindfulness educator, his books include Growing Up Mindful, Raising Resilience, and Alphabreaths.In this conversation, Sharon and Chris speak about:The benefits of mindfulness in family systemsChris’s personal journey with mindfulnessHow mindfulness can be accessible for kids Emotional growth and connection at any age Simple at-home practices Modeling calm compassion How kids can emotionally regulate The benefits of meditation in schools Challenges of technology in family lifeHow self-compassion prevents burnoutNurturing empathy, presence and resilience The goal of presence, not perfectionThe episode closes with Chris leading guided practice. You can learn more about Chris’s work on his website, right here.To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 272, we are launching a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, coming out on December 9th! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here.For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the family systems that support them. For the first episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Susan Kaiser Greenland. Susan is a mindfulness educator and bestselling author, specializing in distilling global wisdom traditions and scientific research into straightforward everyday practices. In the early 2000s, she helped pioneer the introduction of secular mindfulness into classrooms through her Inner Kids model. After decades of working with children and adults and writing two widely translated books, Susan’s latest book, Real-World Enlightenment, was published in 2024 by Shambhala.In this conversation, Susan and Sharon speak about:Susan’s journey with meditationMeditation’s effect on Susan’s sonInspiration for writing The Mindful ChildVolunteering in schoolsCreating the Inner Kids programThe importance of storytellingThe playful approach for young agesThe positive effects of mindfulness in schoolsThe “Pink Bubble” compassion exerciseMindfulness for family dynamicsSusan’s UCLA research findingsSusan’s most recent book, Real World EnlightenmentThe episode closes with Susan leading guided practice. You can learn more about Susan’s work on her website, right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this enlightening conversation, Henry Shukman, a Zen teacher, poet, and the author of the upcoming book 'Original Love,' shares his profound journey of spiritual awakening and healing through meditation. He discusses the transformative power of mindfulness and community, contrasting the idea of Original Love with the cultural concept of Original Sin. Henry also offers practical tips for microdosing lovingkindness and reflects on the importance of connection in spiritual practice. The talk wraps up with a soothing guided meditation led by Henry.

For episode 270, we bring you the second of a two-part episode from the archives. Recorded in the early 2010s in a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, Sharon is teaching on Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances. In this teaching, Sharon speaks about:• Brief History of IMS• The word Lovingkindness • the cultural baggage of “love”• The reality of interconnection• “Never throw anyone out of your heart” - NKB• Looking for the good• How to make a gratitude list• Sharon’s only joke• Making different choicesSharon then takes some questions from the audience on• Feeling the sorrow of the world• Balancing concentration in practice• How do we open despite our conditioning • Learn to let go of grievances• The spaces between the breathYou can listen to the first part of this teaching in Episode 269 of the Metta Hour, released on September 3, 2025 entitled Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances Part 1.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 269, we bring you the first of a two-part episode from the archives.Recorded in the early 2010s in a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, Sharon is teaching on Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances. In this teaching, Sharon speaks about:• Her travel adventure to North Carolina• Her first impressions of Asian philosophy • Changing our relationship to joy & delight• Transforming our relationship to suffering• Awakening to the realm of neutral experiences• Sharon’s first time meditating• The three skills of  meditation • Sharon’s mantra of “something will happen”• The deepening of concentration• Our tendency to project into the future• Mindfulness is not passive• The magic moment in meditationThe episode closes with Sharon leading a guided meditation practice. Stay tuned for the second half of this teaching, which will be released in two weeks' time in Part 2 of Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Seppälä, a best-selling author and Yale lecturer, joins the discussion on navigating anxiety with compassion and emotional intelligence. They delve into the mental health crisis among university students and effective interventions like mindfulness. Emma emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, sharing techniques like the Reflective Best-Self Exercise and breathing practices. She also explores the concept of sovereignty, advocating for awareness and courage in confronting emotions. The conversation wraps up with a guided breathing exercise to help manage anxiety.

Deb Dana, a clinician and an expert on polyvagal theory, joins to discuss the intricate relationship between our nervous system and anxiety. She delves into the importance of understanding polyvagal theory to navigate trauma and emotional responses. Deb highlights the significance of social connection and co-regulation in fostering resilience, and introduces practical strategies like the 'rhythm of regulation' to manage stress. Listeners gain insights into how mindfulness can reshape narratives around anxiety and promote emotional well-being.