For episode 252, Cory Allen makes his first appearance on the Metta Hour podcast.Cory Allen is an author, coach, podcaster, and influencer from Austin, Texas. He writes daily thoughts on mindfulness and mental clarity for his large Instagram following, reaching over a million people a week. Cory is the author of two books, his most recent, Brave New You, has just been released from Hay House in 2024 in hardcover, ebook and audiobook formats. His podcast And Then It Hit Me, has over 300 episodes to date.In this conversation, Sharon and Cory discuss:Meditation BarbieCory’s origin storyOpening to greater possibilityCultivating greater agencyStory is everythingKeeping language realHaving an original mindThe importance of self-trustHow our faith evolvesHow Sharon challenges herselfIntuition as an entryway to our deeper selfCory closes the conversation with a guided meditation. You can learn more about Cory’s work right here and get a copy of his new book, Brave New You, right here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research and Associate Professor at the University of Texas, shares her insights on navigating burnout. She discusses the myths of self-compassion and its essential role in caregivers' well-being, especially during tough times like the COVID pandemic. Kristin emphasizes setting healthy boundaries and loving your inner critic as crucial practices. She also highlights three key components of compassion: mindfulness, kindness, and interconnectedness, concluding with a guided meditation to help listeners cultivate self-compassion.

For episode 251, Ethan Nichtern returns to the Metta Hour to talk about his new book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds.Ethan is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and the host of The Road Home Podcast. He is the author of several books, including The Road Home, and has been featured by CNN, NPR, the New York Times, Vogue, and Business Insider, and more.In this conversation, Sharon and Ethan discuss:What Ethan’s been up to the past 7 yearsWhat inspired Ethan’s new bookThe image of tube peopleThe dichotomy of hope/fearThe eight vicissitudesEthan’s definition of equanimityHolding Your SeatLearning to stay with your own mindThe positive sense of prideConfidence as self-respectBuilding confidence if trauma is presentWindow of ToleranceThe Four Powers of ConfidenceEthan’s life as a DadEthan closes the conversation with a guided meditation on Raising Windhorse. You can learn more about Ethan’s work and get a copy of his new book, Confidence, right here. Listen to Ethan’s Road Home Podcast 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 250, Reggie Hubbard returns to the Metta Hour podcast to talk about Election Stress.Reggie is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace Yoga. He has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, major labor unions, leading progressive organizations, and individuals from all walks of life the simple tools for managing stress and bringing peace to mind, body, and spirit. Reggie’s life work sits at the intersection of bringing more peace and balance to activists; guiding the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens; and enhancing the well-being of all walks of life.Join Sharon for a 7-day online course that helps us reclaim kindness as the superpower it truly is. Distilling over 50 years of Buddhist teaching into practical, accessible and actionable lessons, Sharon’s course points us to the core of what it means to be alive, connected, and whole. Learn more: Kindness In A Fractured WorldIn this conversation, Sharon and Reggie discuss:Reggie’s recent health emergencyFinding agency to take actionLife is not a raceRecovery processVoting is a sacred actLife in the marginsWorking w/ intense emotionsReggie’s work with systemsBoundaries are our friendsThe sanctity of your nervous systemGrounding into the bodyLovingkindness in activismLess pointing fingers, more opening armsEquanimity supporting the processA daily wellness election checklistSharon’s Ishta Deva, Lady LibertyReggie closes the conversation with a healing sound meditation. You can learn more about Reggie’s work right here. For Election Resources from Sharon, click right here.You can check out Reggie’s previous appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast in Episode 201 right here, that was part of our Mental Health Series.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 249, Anu Gupta returns to the Metta Hour to speak about his new book, “Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From and - the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them.”Anu is an educator, lawyer, scientist, and the founder and CEO of BE MORE with Anu, an education technology benefit corporation that trains professionals across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors to advance DEIB and wellness by breaking bias. His first book, “Breaking Bias” is now available from Hay House.In this episode, Anu and Sharon discuss:How Anu became interested in scienceAnu’s childhood being marginalized The Dalai Lama writing the foreword for Anu’s bookWhy Anu chose to write a bookWorking with Oprah & Isabel WilkersonNeuro-decolonizationGrowth MindsetAnu’s PRISM systemThe neuroscience behind PRISMThe impact of lovingkindness meditation on AnuStereotypes: what they are and how they affectThe Night of Buddha’s enlightenmentAnu closes the conversation with a guided lovingkindness meditation. You can learn more about Anu’s work at Be More with Anu and get a copy of “Breaking Bias” on his website right here.Join Sharon for a 7-day online course that helps us reclaim kindness as the superpower it truly is. Distilling over 50 years of Buddhist teaching into practical, accessible and actionable lessons, Sharon’s course points us to the core of what it means to be alive, connected, and whole. Learn more: Kindness In A Fractured WorldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cortland Dahl, a scientist and meditation teacher, chats with Sharon Salzberg about his new book, “A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism.” He shares his unique journey, from his transformative experiences in Tibet to reclaiming the meaning of devotion. Cortland discusses Eastern and Western cultural differences and the profound impact of the Four Noble Truths. He reflects on patience and personal transformation through mindfulness. The conversation wraps up with a serene guided meditation on Open Awareness.

For episode 247, we are continuing the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour with guest Joseph Goldstein.This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the fifth episode in this series. Joseph Goldstein has been leading insight and lovingkindness meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, where he is on the guiding teachers’ Founders Council. In 1989, he helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. Joseph first became interested in Buddhism as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in 1965. Since 1967 he has studied and practiced different forms of Buddhist meditation under eminent teachers from India, Burma and Tibet. He is the author of many books, including Mindfulness and Insight Meditation.In this conversation, Sharon and Joseph discuss:The origin story of founding IMSSharon and Joseph’s first meeting in IndiaJoseph’s apartment in Boulder, COHow Joseph found Munindra, his first serious teacherWhat Joseph loves mosts about teachingJoseph’s first lovingkindness intensiveDipa Ma’s meditative lifeWhat inspired Joseph most about Dipa MaUnifying confidence and humility in ourselvesWorking with the inner critic when teachingLearning how to say “I don’t know”Dudjom Rinpoche and re-incarnationUnderstanding the basis for our opinionsEarly challenges in Joseph’s teachingThe popularization of meditationWhat inspired Joseph to pursue BuddhismTaking delight in being awakeApproaches for self-acceptanceAdvice for new retreatantsYou can learn more about Joseph’s work and many books right here and listen to his Insight Hour Podcast right here. Learn more about IMS Online right here.Listen to Lily Cushman interview both Sharon and Joseph in Episode 199 of the Metta Hour right here or check-out some older conversations with Jospeh in Episode 110 and Episode 47.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Cain, the bestselling author of 'Quiet' and 'Bittersweet,' dives into the depth of human emotion and connection. She shares her journey of exploring the interplay of joy and sorrow and discusses how embracing sadness can foster deeper relationships. Susan reflects on the solitude of writing versus the communal joy of reader engagement. She highlights the importance of loving-kindness meditation in navigating emotional complexities and believes that shared suffering can unify us. Expect guided reflections and insights into building communities of kindness.

For episode 245, we are continuing the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour with guest Guy Armstrong.This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the fourth episode in this series. Guy Armstrong has been leading insight meditation retreats since 1984 in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. His training included living as a monk for a year in the Thai forest lineage. Guy is a member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council and a guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society and is the author of Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators from Wisdom Books.In this conversation, Sharon and Guy discuss:Guy’s first encounter with meditation How Sharon reached her first retreat The mystery of being drawn to practice The three characteristics of existenceGuy’s introduction to Emptiness Mahasi Sayadaw noting techniqueMental Noting Technique Insights of anattā (Emptiness)The path Guy has taken since 1976The importance of relaxationWhat advice Guy would give his younger selfGoenka’s directive to sit two-hours a dayThai Buddhist monk Ajahn BuddhadasaThe year that Guy was a monk in ThailandBurmese Theravāda monk, Pa Auk SayadawThe episode closes with some questions from the audience on Emptiness, Dzogchen practice, Tsoknyi Rinpoche Handshake practice, the spectrum of Emptiness, “where is mind,” and the Jhanas. You can learn more about Guy’s work right here and get a copy of his book, Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators, right here. Learn more about IMS Online right here. Listen to Guy’s first episode on the Metta Hour, Episode 90, right here from 2019.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 244 Valerie Mason-John makes their first appearance on the Metta Hour to speak about their new book, “First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviors”.Valerie is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry and the author of eleven books, including the award-winning book, “Eight Step Recovery.” They are a co-founder of the training program, Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery, and work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma.In this conversation, Valerie and Sharon discuss:How lovingkindness saved Valerie’s lifeHow Valerie became the “Bully Doctor”Valerie’s journey in recoveryThe importance of community in recoveryRecovery CafeGabor Mate’s Compassionate InquiryThoughts are not factsFirst-Aid Kit for the MindThe breath is medicineWhat is still true? What can we rely on?Dharma: that which we can rely onThich Naht Hanh’s influence on ValerieHow to maintain mindfulness The role of Storytelling in Valerie’s workHow story compounds addictionPlaywriting and poetry as social justiceValerie closes the conversation with a guided meditation LOVE from their new book, First Aid Kit for the Mind. Learn more about Valarie’s work on their 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.