For Episode 116 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon shares a conversation with Dr. Sona Dimidjian.Dr. Sona Dimidjian is a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on cultivating mental health and wellness among women, children, and families. She develops and studies programs and practices in education and healthcare settings, with an emphasis on navigating key developmental transitions, such as the perinatal period, early childhood, and adolescence. She also has a longstanding interest in expanding access, scaling, and sustaining effective programs, using both digital technology and community-based partnerships.In this episode, Sharon speaks with Sona about cultivating resilience with meditation practice, managing our overwhelming emotions with mindfulness and nourishing a mother's well being while expecting and during postpartum. Sona closes the podcast with a short breathing practice that originates from her research in mindfulness-based therapy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 115 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with Mirabai Bush and Raghu Markus in remembrance of the life and teachings of Ram Dass, who passed away on December 22, 2019.In this intimate conversation, these three longtime friends speak candidly about their personal loss in Ram Dass’ death and the loss the larger community is experiencing. They share old stories about knowing Ram Dass since the 1970s, and how his friendship has shaped each of their lives. They also discuss the book that Mirabai co-wrote with Ram Dass, “Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying” which was released in 2018.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychology professor Steven C. Hayes and Sharon Salzberg discuss the impactful Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the power of saying words out loud, the influence of Western science on meditation, and the concept of psychological flexibility. They also lead a visualization exercise for connecting with a guide and integrating wisdom.

For Episode 112 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with meditation teacher Adreanna Limbach.Adreanna Limbach is a meditation instructor, personal development coach, and the author of the book, “Tea and Cake With Demons.” In this episode, Sharon and Adreanna speak about how Adreanna came to the path of meditation, and how that led her to teaching and coaching work. They speak at length about Adreanna’s new book “Tea and Cake With Demons” which was recently released in July of 2019 by Sounds True, discussing how Buddhist principles and practice can help us to cultivate self-esteem and self-worth. The episode closes with Adreanna leading a ten-minute guided meditation. To learn more, visit adreannalimbach.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 111 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon interviews Dr. Christian Conte, PhD. Christian is a licensed professional counselor, a certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and one of a handful of top-level Certified Anger Management Specialist in the world.Dr. Christian Conte currently applies his Yield Theory in maximum-security prisons throughout Pennsylvania and speaks to Law Enforcement officials around the country. In this episode, Sharon and Christian speak about his extensive work in prisons, and how he came to his path. They also discuss Christian’s new book “Walking Through Anger” recently released by Sounds True in 2019. The episode closes with Christian leading a guided meditation practice. To learn more, visit www.DrChristianConte.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 110 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with her longtime colleague, friend, and collaborator Joseph Goldstein.This episode was recorded in 2018 at the Garrison Institute at a retreat co-taught by Sharon and Joseph, entitled, “Experiencing Insight & Love”. Includes a guided meditation led by Joseph on Mindfulness of the Body, a guided walking meditation led by Sharon, and a question and answer session with retreat participants. To learn more about Joseph’s work, you can visit dharma.org/teacher/joseph-goldstein to learn more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 109 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon and colleague Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel explore the topic of Faith.Elizabeth is a teacher and author, and has studied and practiced the Buddhadharma for 35 years under the guidance of her teacher and husband Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. She is the retreat master of Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado and has spent over six years in retreat. She holds a degree in anthropology and an M.A. in Buddhist Studies and teaches worldwide. This episode was recorded live in the Spring of 2019 at New York Insight Meditation Center, where Sharon and Elizabeth bring their own unique perspective of faith from each of their respective Buddhist traditions. The episode closes with Elizabeth leading a seven-minute guided meditation. To learn more about Elizabeth’s work visit elizabethmattisnamgyel.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 108 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with her Director of Operations, Lily Cushman.Lily is a teacher, musician, and author, and for nearly a decade, was the Owner and Director of the Brooklyn Yoga School, a lineage-based school run entirely by donation. Her work is a synthesis of the practices of Classical Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Insight Meditation and her first book “A Little Bit of Mantras: An Introduction to Sacred Sounds” was released in March 2019 from Sterling Publishing.This episode begins with a conversation with Sharon and Lily, and id followed by a live recording from the launch of Lily’s book at Deepak Homebase in New York, NY in the Spring of 2019. This live recording features call and response chanting led by Lily and special guest Krishna Das, as well as an in-depth interview of Lily by The Moth’s longtime artistic director, Catherine Burns. To learn more about Lily’s teaching and music, you can visit her website at lilycushman.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Episode 107 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon is joined by Mark Epstein and Bob Thurman.This episode was recorded live at Tibet House in 2018. In this recording, Sharon, Mark and Bob discuss the topic of the ego, related to the self, through the lens of Buddhist Psychology, and how that relates to our sense of well-being. Bob leads a guided meditation on the topic, followed by questions from the audience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.