Best Percent Happier Podcasts (2024)

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

2d 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

3d 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
“The End of Poetry” by Ada Limón 1:43

3d ago1:43

1:43

An impassioned plea, a yearning for connection — the poem U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón wrote when she says all language failed her. Take in Ada's reading of her piece, “The End of Poetry” — and hear her read more of her work in the On Being episode, “To Be Made Whole.” Ada Limón is the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. She’s written six book…

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

5d 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
Atul Gawande — On Mortality and Meaning 1:02:48

13h ago1:02:48

1:02:48

We are strange creatures. It is hard for us to speak about, or let in, the reality of frailty and death — the elemental fact of mortality itself. In this century, western medicine has gradually moved away from its understanding of death as a failure — where care stops with a terminal diagnosis. Hospice has moved, from something rare to something ex…

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

7d 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

9d 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
“Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” by Elizabeth Alexander 1:17

7d ago1:17

1:17

Today, a poem with a poignant question to live: “...and are we not of interest to each other?” Carry Elizabeth Alexander’s reading of her poem “Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” with you — and hear Elizabeth read more of her poetry in the On Being episode, “Words That Shimmer.” Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, author, and educator. Since 2018, she has ser…

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

12d 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
Luis Alberto Urrea — On Our Belonging to Each Other 59:10

8d ago59:10

59:10

We humans have this drive to erect barriers between ourselves and others, Luis Alberto Urrea says, and yet this makes us a little crazy. He is an exuberant, wise, and refreshing companion into the deep meaning and the problem of borders — what they are really about, what we do with them, and what they do to us. The Mexican-American border was as cl…

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

14d 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

16d 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

14d 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
Ross Gay — On the Insistence of Joy 59:05

15d ago59:05

59:05

In our world of so much suffering, it can feel hard or wrong to invoke the word "joy." Yet joy has been one of the most insistent, recurrent rallying cries in almost every life-giving conversation that Krista has had across recent months and years, even and especially with people on the front lines of humanity's struggles. Ross Gay helps illuminate…

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

21d 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

23d 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

24d 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

26d 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
Janine Benyus and Azita Ardakani Walton — On Nature's Wisdom for Humanity 1:16:20

22d ago1:16:20

1:16:20

In this all-new episode, Krista engages biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus in a second, urgent conversation, alongside creative biomimicry practitioner Azita Ardakani Walton. Together they trace precise guidance and applied wisdom from the natural world for the civilizational callings before us now. What does nature have to teach us about healing fro…

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

28d 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

30d 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
Befriend Your Body: A Compassionate Body Scan 11:16

28d ago11:16

11:16

In a time of stress, uncertainty, and isolation, Christine Runyan turns our attention to what often evades our awareness — the response of our nervous systems. As part of On Being’s 2021 Midwinter Gathering, she offered this brief, practical, gently guided practice as an invitation to befriend your beleaguered body, to “blanket it with a little bit…

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

1M 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
Christine Runyan — On Healing Our Distressed Nervous Systems 1:01:11

29d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

The years of pandemic and lockdown are still working powerfully on us from the inside. But we have trouble acknowledging this, much less metabolizing it. This conversation with Christine Runyan, which took place in the dark middle of those years, helps make sense of our present of still-unfolding epidemic distress — as individuals, as communities, …

1
Rethinking Success | Mia Birdsong 1:06:17

1M 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

1M 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
“Joy is the Justice (We Give Ourselves)” by J. Drew Lanham 14:26

1M ago14:26

14:26

We are overjoyed to share this heart-stirring performance with you, which transpired when we invited the ornithologist/poet/former On Being guest J. Drew Lanham to offer some poetry at a live On Being event in January 2024. We could not have imagined the lightning in a bottle that unfolded — a live adaptation of the title poem that appears in Drew'…

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

1M 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
Lyndsey Stonebridge and Lucas Johnson — On Love, Politics, and Violence (Channeling Hannah Arendt) 1:15:26

1M ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Here is a stunning sentence for you, written by Lyndsey Stonebridge, our guest this hour, channeling the 20th-century political thinker and journalist Hannah Arendt: "Loneliness is the bully that coerces us into giving up on democracy." This conversation is a kind of guide to generative shared deliberations we might be having with each other and ou…

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

1M 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 …

1
New From Poetry Unbound: A Series on Conflict and the Human Condition 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

A taste of a special mini-season of Poetry Unbound — bringing contemplative curiosity and the life-nurturing tether of poetry to the very present matter of conflict in our world. In this first offering, Pádraig introduces the intriguing idea of poems as teachers and ponders Wisława Szymborska’s “A Word on Statistics," translated by Joanna Trzeciak.…

1
The Science Of Getting Out Of Your Head | Annie Murphy Paul 57:22

1M ago57:22

57:22

An acclaimed science writer on how to upgrade your mind by using more than your head. When you think about thinking, most of us think of it as a supremely solo pursuit. You’re in your head, concentrating and cogitating, all by yourself. But the science shows that if you want to improve your thinking, you need to get out of your head. Today we’re go…

1
On Having Your Own Back | Bonus Meditation with Jess Morey 7:41

2M ago7:41

7:41

Connecting to self-compassion can be really tough. Ease the struggle by imagining your loved ones sending care & support your way. About Jess Morey: Jess Morey is a lead teacher, cofounder and former executive director of Inward Bound Mindfulness Education which runs in-depth mindfulness programming for youth, and the parents and professionals who …

1
Colette Pichon Battle — On Knowing What We're Called To 1:02:38

1M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

There is an ecological transformation unfolding in the places we love and come from. On a front edge of this reality, which will affect us all, Colette Pichon Battle is a singular model of brilliance and graciousness of mind and spirit and action. And to be with her is to open to the way the stories we tell have blunted us to the courage we’re call…

1
Three Buddhist Practices For Getting Your Sh*t Together | Vinny Ferraro 1:06:26

2M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

Practical advice from a straight-talking former criminal and occasionally profane dharma teacher. Vinny Ferraro is the Guiding Teacher of the Big Heart City Sangha in San Francisco and has led a weekly sitting group for almost two decades. As a fully empowered Dharma Teacher thru Spirit Rock/IMS, he has taught residential retreats at Spirit Rock, I…

1
The Science Of Overcoming Perfectionism | Thomas Curran 1:11:18

2M ago1:11:18

1:11:18

Actionable advice on working with one of the few socially acceptable vices. Whilst striving for perfection might seem logical on some level, it’s not actually attainable. And the research shows it can lead to burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, reduced productivity, and reduced resilience. Thomas Curran is a professor in th…

1
What Is Happiness Anyway? | Bonus Meditation with Jay Michaelson 7:13

2M ago7:13

7:13

What is happiness? Investigate how happiness is created, what it’s really like, and learn to access the simple happiness of right now. About Jay Michaelson: Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of ten books, including his newest, The Secret That Is Not A Secret: Ten Heretical Tales. In his “other career,” Jay is a columnist for The Daily Beast, a…

1
Dua Lipa On: Radical Optimism, Falling On Stage, And “Writing Yourself Into A Good Idea” 58:24

2M ago58:24

58:24

Talking creativity and sanity with one of the world’s biggest pop stars. British-Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa emerged as a global pop sensation with her captivating blend of sultry vocals, empowering lyrics, and infectious beats. Born in London in 1995 to Albanian parents, Lipa's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by her father's…

1
Kate DiCamillo — On Nurturing Capacious Hearts 54:16

2M ago54:16

54:16

In her writing, it is Kate DiCamillo's gift to make bearable the fact that joy and sorrow live so close, side by side, in life as it is (if not as we wish it to be). In this conversation, along with good measures of raucous laughter and a few tears, Kate summons us to hearts "capacious enough to contain the complexities and mysteries of ourselves a…

1
The Neuroscience Of: Emotional Regulation, Relationships, Body Image, And Intuition | Emma Seppälä 1:03:37

2M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

A research-backed plan for getting your sh*t together in every possible sphere. We’re going to talk about some smart strategies today with Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. She is a psychologist and research scientist, with an expertise in the science of happiness, emotional intelligence, and social connection. She is the Science Director of Stanford University’…

1
How To Regulate Your Nervous System For Stress, Anxiety, And Trauma | Peter Levine 1:07:49

2M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

The creator of somatic experiencing shows Dan how to heal trauma through the body. Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., has spent the past 50 years developing Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in Biophysics from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Psychology from International University. His work has been taught to over 30,000 therapists in over 42 countri…

1
How To Meditate If You Have ADHD (Or Are Simply Fidgety And Distractible) | Bonus Meditation with Jeff Warren 7:18

2M ago7:18

7:18

Tap into your ADHD superpowers with a meditation that celebrates your unique wiring. Embrace exploration and self-acceptance. 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 Ske…

1
Wisdom, Solace, and Courage for 2024 2:58

2M ago2:58

2:58

A special two-month season of On Being starts May 9. Freshly curated conversations from across the On Being archive. Big new conversations and extra offerings. To be present to the suffering and sorrow of this world from a place of love. To accompany each other in this — and accompany the young. To honor the fragility of being human. To keep our ca…

1
Rewire How You Talk To Yourself | Ofosu Jones-Quartey 1:04:21

2M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Buddhist strategies for taming that nagging voice in your head. Ofosu Jones-Quartey, a meditation teacher, author, and musician hailing from the Washington DC area brings over 17 years of experience in sharing mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion practices with the world. Holding a bachelor’s degree from American University and certified by …

1
The Science Of Self-Compassion | Serena Chen 1:11:06

2M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

How self compassion works, how to practice it, and what the research says about the benefits. GUEST BIO: Dr. Serena Chen is Professor of Psychology and the Marian E. and Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Distinguished Chair for Innovative Teaching and Research at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the self and identity, interpers…

1
A Very Simple, Very Effective Meditation | Bonus Meditation with Cara Lai 6:25

2M ago6:25

6:25

Cara introduces you to the magic of doing less. These gentle no-frills instructions get right to the heart of meditation practice. About Cara Lai: Cara Lai spent most of her life trying to figure out how to be happy, or at least avoid total misery, which landed her on a meditation cushion for the majority of her adulthood. Throughout many conscious…

1
How To Handle Literally Anything | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren 1:01:25

2M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

Debating the cliche: Does everything happen for a reason? Plus, the Meditation Party crew tackles equanimity, work/life balance, and meditation vs napping. Sebene Selassie describes herself as a “writer, teacher, and immigrant-weirdo.” She teaches meditation on the ten percent happier app and is the author of a great book called You Belong. She’s b…

1
Ancient Strategies For Managing Stress And Anxiety | Ryan Holiday 1:11:09

2M ago1:11:09

1:11:09

Digging into the nuts and bolts of Stoicism with one of its best-known modern proponents. Ryan Holiday is a prolific author, whose books include The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Discipline is Destiny. His newest book, Right Thing, Right Now, comes out in June, and is available for pre-order now. Ryan is also the host of the Daily Stoi…

1
Stop Trying To Control Everything | Bonus Meditation with Sebene Selassie 6:58

2M ago6:58

6:58

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Get comfortable with uncertainty and cultivate trust in life, even in the most turbulent times. About Sebene Selassie: Growing up, Sebene felt like a big weirdo. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and raised in white neighborhoods i…

1
How Thinking About Death Can Improve Your Life | Alua Arthur 51:06

3M ago51:06

51:06

Death isn’t the most appetizing topic, but contemplating mortality can be a massive source of motivation, perspective, and even stress relief. In this episode, life lessons from a death doula, who helps people at the end. Description: There seems to be one clear bug in the human operating system — most of us do not like talking about death. Yet whe…

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