Best Ten Percent Happier Podcasts (2024)

1
Stop Turning The Miraculous Into The Mundane | Bonus Meditation with Pascal Auclair 6:11

1d ago6:11

6:11

This is the first time you’ve ever been here, now. Pascal invites you to discover the vivid and mysterious experience of this new moment. About Pascal Auclair: Pascal Auclair has been immersed in Buddhist practice and study since 1997, sitting retreats in Asia and America with revered monastics and lay teachers. He has been mentored by Joseph Golds…

1
A Buddhist Recipe For Confidence | Ethan Nichtern 1:10:41

5m ago1:10:41

1:10:41

Cultivating resilience in the face of whatever comes up. Ethan Nichtern is the author of Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds and several other titles, including the widely acclaimed The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path. A renowned contemporary Buddhist teacher and the host of The Road Home Podc…

1
Why Your Brain Turns The Miraculous Into The Mundane—And How To Fix It | Maria Popova 1:12:12

6d ago1:12:12

1:12:12

Smart and practical strategies for living, in Maria's words, wonder-smitten by reality. Maria Popova thinks and writes about our search for meaning — sometimes through science and philosophy, sometimes through poetry and children's books, always through the lens of wonder. She is the creator of The Marginalian (born in 2006 under the name Brain Pic…

1
How To Be Less Judgmental: An On-The-Go Meditation | Bonus Meditation with Jay Michaelson 6:32

7d ago6:32

6:32

A busy city is an ideal place to cultivate loving-kindness and powerfully connect to those around you while you’re out & about. About Jay Michaelson: Jay Michaelson is a writer & journalist, rabbi & meditation teacher, keynote speaker, and scholar of religion. Jay is the author of ten books, most recently The Secret That Is Not A Secret: Ten Hereti…

1
From Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Taylor Tomlinson 31:26

9d ago31:26

31:26

There’s a great podcast we want to introduce you to today, hosted by our friend Rachel Martin at NPR. It’s her new show, called Wild Card, which she describes as “part-interview, part-existential game show.” It’s a different way of approaching a celebrity interview, with a special deck of cards that helps shape the conversation. It’s a really fun s…

1
NPR’s Rachel Martin On: Surviving The News, Making A Huge Career Pivot, And Hosting A Metaphysical Game Show 1:11:47

11d ago1:11:47

1:11:47

The radio stalwart addresses life’s biggest questions. Rachel Martin is the co-creator and host of the podcast Wild Card, an interview game show about life's biggest questions. She invites notable guests to play a card game that lets them open up about the memories, insights, and beliefs that have shaped their lives. Martin spent six years as a hos…

1
The Gulf Between Your Internal Life And How The World Sees You | Anna Marie Tendler 1:04:37

13d ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Lessons learned from the psychiatric hospital We’ve got a fascinating and very personal discussion today about the often very painful gap between the way you feel on the inside and the way the world perceives you. We also cover the urgency and difficulty of sitting with your own discomfort. Anna Marie Tendler is an artist and writer. She is also th…

1
Jeff Tweedy (From Wilco) On: Music As A Lifeline, Shame, Schadenfreude, And Freaking Out On Weed 41:56

16d ago41:56

41:56

Dan dweebs out with a dad rock icon. Jeff Tweedy is the lead singer and songwriter of the Grammy award winning rock band, Wilco. The band have put out 13 albums… and shortly after this interview was conducted, the band put out a new EP. Jeff has released two solo albums and has written three books, including his latest, which is called World Within…

1
A Candid Conversation With The Rapper Common On: Self-Worth, Fitness, Trauma, And The Evolution Of Vulnerability In Hip-Hop 54:39

18d ago54:39

54:39

This multi-hyphenate opens up about his four pillars of health and success Common is an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy Award–winning music artist. He is an actor and producer, and has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films, as well as hit TV series. He is the author of One Day It’ll All Make Sense and Let Love Have the Last Word, wh…

1
Goldie Hawn On: “Brain Breaks,” Curiosity, And How To Make A Romantic Relationship Last For 30 Years 1:03:39

20d ago1:03:39

1:03:39

Don’t be fooled by the bubbly public persona. Goldie Hawn is an Academy Award winning actress, producer, director, and best-selling author. She’s written two best-selling books, a memoir called A Lotus Grows in the Mud and then, more recently, 10 Mindful Minutes, which is for kids and parents. She is also the Founder of MindUP, a charity that equip…

1
Radical Disarmament For Your Inner Critic | Bonus Meditation with La Sarmiento 6:17

21d ago6:17

6:17

Our inner critics are sticky and painful. Practice radical kindness and self-compassion to reprogram harmful self-talk habits. About La Sarmiento: La Sarmiento (they/them) is a mentor for the MIndfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) and a teacher with Banyan. They have taught meditation retreats for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Teens, and Y…

1
Eight Things I’m Doing To Stay Sane During Election Season | Dan Harris 27:14

23d ago27:14

27:14

A personal program for working with election-induced anxiety. We’re dropping a special/experimental pod today, because we know a lot of you are freaking out about the election — so Dan’s going to talk through some strategies he is personally using to keep it together during this turbulent time. Additional Resources: Podcast episode with Bill Dohert…

1
What It’s Like To Do A Year-Long Silent Meditation Retreat—By Yourself | Cara Lai 1:17:18

25d ago1:17:18

1:17:18

Cara Lai has worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker, and therapist before becoming a full time meditation teacher. She teaches teens and adults at Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and Ten Percent Happier. To find out more about what Cara does, you can go to her website, www.caralai.org – where she’s got some online meditation …

1
How Turning Habits Into Rituals Can Help You At Home, At Work, And When You’re Anxious | Michael Norton 1:14:41

27d ago1:14:41

1:14:41

A Harvard professor on how to elevate everyday activities in order to lift your mood, improve your relationships and rise to new challenges. Michael Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He has studied human behavior as it relates to love and inequality, time and money, and happiness a…

1
A Meditation For When You’re Melting Down | Bonus Meditation with Sebene Selassie 6:35

30d ago6:35

6:35

When you’re spiraling with intense emotions, here’s a practice to help pick you up off the bathroom floor. About Sebene Selassie: Growing up, Sebene felt like a big weirdo. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and raised in white neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., she was a tomboy Black girl who loved Monty Python and UB40. She never believed she belonged…

1
A Buddhist Antidote To Fear And Anxiety | Devin Berry 1:07:44

27d ago1:07:44

1:07:44

The two practices that helped turn this self described scowling, sarcastic skeptic into an expert meditator Since 1999, Devin Berry has been a dedicated meditation practitioner, his practice is deeply rooted in the metta and vipassana teachings of the Insight Meditation tradition. He spent nearly five years in silent, intensive retreats, cultivatin…

1
The Science Of Manifestation: Can This Stanford Neuroscientist Convince A Skeptical Dan To Give It A Shot? | Dr. James R. Doty 1:15:53

1M ago1:15:53

1:15:53

Our guest today is James R. Doty, a neurosurgeon who has just written a whole book about the science of manifestation – although, as you’ll hear him admit, there’s very little ‘magic’ involved in his process. James R. Doty, M.D. is a Stanford neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, compassion researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. He’…

1
Relaxed, Not Casual | Bonus Meditation with Joseph Goldstein 6:21

16d ago6:21

6:21

Watching things come and go helps weaken obsessive cravings both in meditation and in our lives. About Joseph Goldstein: Joseph is one of the most respected meditation teachers in the world -- a key architect of the rise of mindfulness in our modern society -- with a sense of humor to boot. In the 1970's, he co-founded the Insight Meditation Societ…

1
From Ted Talks Daily: The Benefits Of Not Being A Jerk To Yourself 14:37

1M ago14:37

14:37

We're introducing you to the Ted Talks Daily podcast, with an episode featuring our own Dan Harris. Here's his TED Talk, "The Benefits Of Not Being A Jerk To Yourself." After over two decades as an anchor for ABC News, an on-air panic attack sent Dan Harris's life in a new direction: he became a dedicated meditator and, to some, even a guru. But th…

1
Mindfulness Without All The Effort | Loch Kelly (Co-Interviewed By Matt Harris) 1:14:56

1M ago1:14:56

1:14:56

Loch Kelly is an author, psychotherapist, and nondual meditation teacher. Loch has Master’s Degrees from both Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. He has his own app, called Mindful Glimpses. Loch is also a very popular teacher on the Waking Up app, run by friend of show, Sam Harris. Free 30 days of the Waking Up meditation app: http…

1
The Science Of Memory: How To Get Better At Remembering And Be Okay With Forgetting | Charan Ranganath 1:16:21

1M ago1:16:21

1:16:21

A neuroscientist’s strategies to help you remember what really matters, and how mood, multitasking and other people can impact our memories Charan Ranganath is a professor at the Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. He is the author of the New York Time…

1
Just Because You Think It, Doesn’t Make It True | Bonus Meditation with Leslie Booker 6:17

1M ago6:17

6:17

Strengthen your ability to know the difference between fact and fiction by using sound to harness a foundational anxiety-taming skill. About Leslie Booker: Booker brings her heart and wisdom to the intersection of Dharma, Embodied Wisdom, and Liberation. Using this framework, she supports folks in creating a culture of belonging through her teachin…

1
The Science Of Crying: Evolutionary Roots, Benefits, And Why So Many Of Us Are Uncomfortable With It | Benjamin Perry (Co-hosted By Dr. Bianca Harris) 1:10:43

2M ago1:10:43

1:10:43

Reverend Benjamin Perry, is the author of Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter. He’s the editorial director at Garrett Seminary, Consulting Minister for Public Theology at Middle Church, and editor of the Queer Faith photojournalism series. He has a masters in divinity from Union Theological Seminary. In this episode we talk about: Why Doty got interest…

1
Why You Always Want More, And How To Fix It | Michael Easter 1:08:38

2M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Learning how to thrive with enough. Michael Easter is the New York Times bestselling author of Scarcity Brain and The Comfort Crisis. He travels the world to uncover practical ideas that help people live healthier, happier, and more remarkable lives. His ideas have been adopted by institutions ranging from the military to professional sports teams …

1
Arrival | Bonus Meditation with Kaira Jewel Lingo 6:25

1M ago6:25

6:25

Learn to connect with the true home of strength, wisdom, and clarity inside of yourself, a place of safety that no one can take away. About Kaira Jewel Lingo: At the age of twenty-five, Kaira Jewel Lingo entered a Buddhist monastery in the Plum Village tradition and spent fifteen years living as a nun under the guidance of Zen Master Thich Nhat Han…

1
The Things Nobody’s Talking To Jada Pinkett Smith About 44:26

2M ago44:26

44:26

On hitting Rock Bottom, de-armoring, and worthiness. Jada Pinkett Smith is a multifaceted artist whose career spans over 30 years. Raised in Baltimore, she studied dance and theater at the Baltimore School for the Arts before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Her breakthrough came in with the NBC series A Different World, followed by her firs…

1
RuPaul On: Surviving Your Family, Overcoming Addiction, And How To Have Fun (Including “Dirty Charades”) 1:21:14

2M ago1:21:14

1:21:14

The Queen of Drag discusses his new memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, and makes Dan play an R-rated game. RuPaul Charles became famous in 1993 with the song “Supermodel.” Since then, he’s put out 18 albums, he’s been in more than 50 films and TV shows, including his global hit, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He’s put out four books, including his latest…

1
Abby Wambach On: Grief, Addiction, And Moving From External To Internal Validation 51:47

2M ago51:47

51:47

Plus her definition of the oft-dismissed yet game-changing notion of self-love. We caught up with Abby Wambach at a really interesting time. She’s experiencing grief, for reasons we’ll let her explain. And for the first time in her life, she’s grieving while sober—which, in itself, is an interesting story, which she will also tell. As you know, we …

1
Small Wins | Bonus Meditation with Matthew Hepburn 6:35

1M ago6:35

6:35

When the world feels like a dumpster fire, it helps to remember that your contributions to improve things matter—even the small ones. About Matthew Hepburn: Matthew is a meditation and dharma teacher with more than a decade of teaching experience and a passion for getting real about what it means to live well. He emphasizes humor, technique, and au…

1
How to Disentangle from Toxic People | Lindsay C. Gibson 1:13:50

1M ago1:13:50

1:13:50

Emotionally immature people can wreck your life. One of our most popular guests returns to teach you how to make sure they don't. Description: Our relationships are the most important variable in our health and happiness, but they may also be the most difficult. This is especially true when those closest to us turn out to be emotionally immature pe…

1
How to Deal With Emotionally Immature People (Including Maybe Your Own Parents) | Lindsay C. Gibson 1:07:27

2M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Today’s guest, Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson, gives advice for dealing with emotionally immature people— whether they are your parents, boss, spouse or childhood friend, she offers practical tools to help navigate these difficult relationships. Description: Emotionally immature people (EIP’s) are hard to avoid and most of us, if not all of us, have to deal…

1
An Always-Available Source Of Stability | Bonus Meditation with Oren Jay Sofer 6:17

2M ago6:17

6:17

To find some mental stability, start with physical stability. About Oren Jay Sofer: Oren Jay Sofer teaches mindfulness, meditation and Nonviolent Communication. He has practiced meditation since 1997, beginning his studies in Bodh Gaya, India and is a long-time student of Joseph Goldstein, Michele McDonald, and Ajahn Sucitto, and is a graduate of t…

1
Ted Danson On: Meditation, Marriage, Grief, Joy, And Doing Shrooms With The Cast Of “Cheers” 1:02:27

2M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

A self-described “silly man” tells us about what’s really important in life. Ted Danson has an acting career spanning over four decades. He rose to prominence in the 1980s with his iconic portrayal of Sam Malone in the long-running sitcom "Cheers," earning him critical acclaim and multiple awards. Danson's charisma and acting prowess have since led…

1
Can You Get Fit Without Self-Loathing? | Cara Lai 1:05:50

2M ago1:05:50

1:05:50

Practical tips to stop judging yourself, chill out about exercise, and start taking better care of your body – from a Buddhist teacher who learned the hard way. Description: It’s an urgent question for so many of us: Can we exercise, can we take care of our bodies, without being driven by shame, self-loathing, or noxious comparison to other people?…

1
The Buddhist Case For Laziness (And How It Can Make You More Productive) | Brother Chân Pháp Hữu 1:03:38

2M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

What if one of the often overlooked keys to being productive is being lazy? That’s the case you will hear made today by Brother Pháp Hữu, a very impressive young zen Buddhist monk. Brother Pháp Hữu is a senior Dharma teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh’s International Plum Village Community and abbot of Upper Hamlet, the monks’ community in Plum Village Mon…

1
Pain Is Inevitable. Suffering Is Optional. Here’s How To Draw The Line. | Bonus Meditation with Sharon Salzberg 6:20

2M ago6:20

6:20

While we may want to conquer physical pain, it’s actually observing the sensations and knowing when to take a break that’s the key to relief. About Sharon Salzberg: Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is among the first to bring mindfulness & lovingkindness meditation to mainst…

1
Weighing The Extraordinary Benefits And Disturbing Risks Of The New Weight Loss Drugs | Johann Hari 1:09:51

2M ago1:09:51

1:09:51

On this show, we talk a lot about ways to stop the interpersonal and intrapersonal violence of obsessing about thinness. Today’s episode, though, is a bit of a departure… because this whole dynamic and debate has been deeply disrupted by the advent of Ozempic and other new weight loss drugs, which are technically called GLP1s. This is a controversi…

1
The Last Podcast You Ever Need To Hear About Exercise | Shannon Palus 1:16:27

3M ago1:16:27

1:16:27

Five takeaways from a year's reporting on fitness, and why this journalist says it's time to go easier on yourself. Shannon Palus is a features editor at Slate covering heath, science, and human interest. In 2023, she edited Slate's year-long fitness column, Good Fit, about exercise. Her writing has also appeared in the New York Times' Wirecutter, …

1
The Ultimate Relaxation Meditation | Bonus Meditation with Jeff Warren 6:19

2M ago6:19

6:19

After an intense day, try this simple meditation to decompress and de-stress by getting comfy and putting your feet up. About Jeff Warren: Jeff is an incredibly gifted meditation teacher. He's trained in multiple traditions, including with renowned teacher Shinzen Young. Jeff is the co-author of NY Times Bestseller "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics,…

1
The Science Of Motivation: How To Make Habits That Actually Stick | T. Morgan Dixon and Dr. Gary Bennett 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

How to overcome inertia and research-backed plans that actually work. Dr. Gary G. Bennett is Dean of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University. He is also a professor of psychology & neuroscience, global health, medicine, and nursing, and is the founding director of the Duke Digital Health Science Center. He has authored nearly 200 …

1
Longevity Secrets (And Controversies) From The Blue Zones | Dan Buettner 1:13:40

3M ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Insights from the places on the planet where people apparently live the longest and healthiest lives. Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, and journalist. He has written a series of bestselling books, including The Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes for Living to 100. He is also the host of the Netfl…

1
You Don’t Have To Sit Still To Meditate | Bonus Meditation with Dawn Mauricio 6:21

3M ago6:21

6:21

Mindful movement is an excellent way to integrate and even invigorate mindfulness while cultivating the power of curious awareness. About Dawn Mauricio: Dawn Mauricio discovered the practices of Buddhist meditation in 2005, and from then on, did what any well-intentioned perfectionist would do — plunge in head first! Since then, she's graduated fro…

1
Our Top Takeaways From A Year Of Trying To Get Fit Sanely | Behind The Scenes with 10% Producer DJ Cashmere 49:24

3M ago49:24

49:24

How to pursue fitness without succumbing to the “subtle aggression of self-improvement.” The kickoff episode for the latest installment of an occasional series we do here on the show, called Get Fit Sanely (listen to past – and future – episodes here). In this candid conversation, managing producer DJ Cashmere talks with Dan about how they manage t…

1
How To Escape Your Brain's Default Mode Network | Zindel Segal and Norman Farb 1:04:15

3M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Using your senses to reduce overthinking, turn down the voice in your head, and get out of what these scientists call "the house of habit." Dr. Zindel Segal is Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders at the University of Toronto Scarborough and a cofounder of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Professor Norman Farb, PhD, is an Ass…

1
This Neurobiologist Wants You To Ask One Question To Reframe Anxiety, Depression, And Trauma | Dr. Bruce Perry (Co-Interviewed by Dan's Wife, Bianca!) 1:16:08

3M ago1:16:08

1:16:08

The radical shift in perspective that can come when we change our question from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you?” Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. is the Principal of the Neurosequential Network and a Professor (Adjunct) at the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia. Ove…

1
A Meditation For When You Need To Make A Big Decision | Bonus Meditation with Oren Jay Sofer 6:58

3M ago6:58

6:58

When you feel anxious about a difficult decision, meditation can help take the edge off and put you in touch with your own wisdom as a guide. About Oren Jay Sofer: Oren Jay Sofer teaches mindfulness, meditation and Nonviolent Communication. He has practiced meditation since 1997, beginning his studies in Bodh Gaya, India and is a long-time student …

1
Rethinking Success | Mia Birdsong 1:06:17

3M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

Radical advice on rethinking success, individualism, and the American dream. Mia Birdsong is a pathfinder, culture change visionary, and futurist. She is the founding Executive Director of Next River, a think tank and culture change lab for interconnected freedom. In her book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community, Mia maps sw…

1
What Happened When A Skeptical Reporter Decided To Investigate The Afterlife | Sebastian Junger 1:11:36

3M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

The surprisingly common experience of near death experiences and what science still can't explain about them. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death in Belmont, War and Tribe, and In My Time of Dying. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspo…

1
For When You Have Trouble Getting Out Of Bed | Bonus Meditation with Alexis Santos 6:48

3M ago6:48

6:48

Explore the preciousness of a new day with greater joy and ease while giving plenty of space to feel grumpy about it all. About Alexis Santos: Alexis has practiced and taught Insight Meditation in both the East and West since 2001. He has been a long-time student of Sayadaw U Tejaniya (a well respected meditation teacher in Burma whose teachings ha…

1
The Science Of Speaking Up For Yourself | Elaine Lin Hering (Co-Hosted By Dan's Wife, Bianca!) 1:10:11

3M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

How to find your voice when you need to be heard, learn when it's smart to choose silence, and communicate better with the people who matter most. Elaine Lin Hering is a former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. She works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She has served …

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