Sometimes it's nice to have just one thing to focus on: a simple theme each week to reflect on and be inspired by. On this short episode, Roshi Joan Halifax shares the most important thing she does, each day, for her own well-being. Purchase Roshi Joan's most recent book Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet here. We’d also like to let people know about the Upaya Institute’s general fund, which allows Upaya to provide a wide array of workshops, trainings, and retreats for thousands of people each year. If you would like to give to the fund, please follow this link. If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though there is no more human experience than death, it’s one of the most challenging topics to explore. Today we have the pleasure and privilege of learning from a true pioneer in the field of end-of-life care: Roshi Joan Halifax. As you may know, “roshi” is a title for the honored teacher of a Zen Buddhist community. Roshi Joan is a Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, and doctor of medical anthropology. She is Founder, Abbot, and Head Teacher of Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She’s also the author of several classic books, including most recently publisehd Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet. We’d also like to let people know about the Upaya Institute’s general fund, which allows Upaya to provide a wide array of workshops, trainings, and retreats for thousands of people each year. If you would like to give to the fund, please follow this link. Timestamps: 2:09: Roshi Joan's childhood experience, and how it shaped her. 4:42: How has your work with the dying informed the way that you’ve lived your life? 8:17: In your experience of sitting with people who are going through the dying process, what have you found they particularly valued or regretted? 10:14: Handling existential dread. 11:48: We only have one "big" death, but we may have many "small" deaths throughout life. What lessons can we take from the "big" death and apply to those? 18:18: Can we know our own true nature? 20:56: Do you have any counsel for those who are grieving? 26:43: A teaching from indigenous cultures. 28:17: If you could go back in time and speak to yourself as a child or young adult, what would you say? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore questions from listeners related to managing our relationship with ourselves, and particularly our tendency toward self-criticism. If you’d like to submit a question to be answered during a future mailbag, use the form on this page. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Timestamps: 01:05: What is the most productive way to deal with a life-changing diagnosis?11:16: What can I do to break through my fears of participating in social activities?20:17: How can I better assert and protect myself during everyday interactions with others? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes it's nice to have just one thing to focus on: a simple theme each week to reflect on and be inspired by. On this short episode, professor Gaylon Ferguson shares the most important thing he does, each day, for his own happiness. Sign-up for Just One Thing from Dr. Rick Hanson here, and receive more simple practices for greater well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the rich topics of fear and fearlessness with professor Gaylon Ferguson. Professor Ferguson is a member of the faculty at Naropa University in Bolder, Colorado. He is a graduate of Exeter and Yale, and holds a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Stanford. He’s also a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and has been a teacher in residence at the San Francisco Zen Center and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. He is also the author of two books: Natural Bravery: Fear and Fearlessness as a Direct Path of Awakening, and Natural Wakefulness: Discovering the Wisdom We Were Born With. If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Timestamps: 00:58: When did you begin to explore fear and fearlessness? 03:25: Why do you think that courage is our basic nature? 05:57: How can someone experience innate courage? 10:30: The "fear of ourselves." 12:55: What are some of the best practices that people can use to address a feeling of emptiness? 17:04: Becoming more comfortable with groundlessness. 22:59: Handling acute, in the moment experiences of fear. 29:03: Outside of self-awareness, are there certain tactics you have found that help move people into a stance of welcoming? 32:07: If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's mailbag episode we answer two questions related to our series on "Who Am I," with a general focus on helping people learn how to better manage their relationships with challenging family members. If you’d like to submit a question to be answered during a future mailbag, use the form on this page. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Timestamps: 00:59: How can we help manage our reactions to, and even support, family members that we find challenging to be around? 20:04: What are some key differences between Narcissism and Borderline Personality Disorder? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so busy these days that it’s great to have just one thing to focus on: a simple theme each week to reflect on and be inspired by. On this short episode, Adam Markel shares the most important thing he does, each day, for his own happiness. Sign-up for Just One Thing from Dr. Rick Hanson here, and receive more simple practices for greater well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's easy to "go with the flow" during our often busy lives. When things are going well this is great, but when our lives are less satisfying inertia can be a powerful enemy. To get out of a rut, we need to learn how to "pivot" in order to make the big changes that can point us in the right direction. If you feel that it might be time for a change, this is the episode for you. Our gust today is Adam Markel. Adam is the author of Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life. He’s given a popular TED talk, has been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and Forbes, and is the host of the Conscious Pivot podcast. Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Key Topics: 01:04:Two pivots from Adam's life. 06:20: What were some of the things that contributed to your pivot? 08:03: What helps people when a pivot is shocking or surprising? 14:07: What are the enduring and stable attributes of people that enable them to be resilient, or pivot well? 18:07: How do we know when a pivot is good for us? 22:09: How can people who are less resourced internally call upon allies in their life? 28:44: If you could back in time and tell a younger version of yourself anything, what would you say? Overcome Anxiety:  Let go of anxiety and grow a greater sense of calm strength with Rick's Dealing with Anxiety program, which offers 5 powerful practices for managing stress and worries. Save 10% with coupon code BEINGWELL. Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Connect with the show: Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have good days and bad days. Our mood naturally trends up and down in response to the events of our constantly changing worlds. But some people change more frequently, and are hit harder by change than others. On today’s episode, Dr. Hanson and Forrest continue their series on “Who Am I” by exploring at a particularly intense, and surprisingly common, version of this: Borderline Personality Disorder. Today's episode is a bit longer and more technical than normal. I hope you stick with it, but feel free to skip around! Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Key Topics: 03:01: What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)? 18:09: How do people with BPD respond to everyday issues? 22:52: What are the traits of somebody who has “10% BPD”? 32:10: How can people with tendencies toward BPD learn to manage it more effectively? 40:40: If we are in a relationship with someone who has some level of BPD, what can we do to support them or otherwise make our relationship with them as healthy as possible? Overcome Anxiety:  Let go of anxiety and grow a greater sense of calm strength with Rick's Dealing with Anxiety program, which offers 5 powerful practices for managing stress and worries. Save 10% with coupon code BEINGWELL. Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Connect with the show: Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so busy these days that it’s great to have just one thing to focus on: a simple theme each week to reflect on and be inspired by. On this short episode, Dr. Lyubomirsky shares the most important thing she does, each day, for her own happiness. Sign-up for Just One Thing from Dr. Rick Hanson here, and receive more simple practices for greater well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To summarize and simplify a little bit, one of the major focuses of this podcast is the “how” of happiness – what we can actually do in our lives, practically speaking, to increase our natural foundation of happiness and well-being. There’s endless advice out there about how to become happier, but most of it is anecdotal in nature. That’s why we're so happy to be being joined today by one of the leading researchers on the scientific study of human happiness: Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Timestamps: 01:06: The “pie chart” of happiness. 04:52: What push-back have you received on your work? 06:49: What has a big role in the 40% of our happiness we control? 12:34: What can we do to handle “back-fre” effects? 14:26: Building the trait of happiness. 21:35: A message to your younger self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re going to continue our series on “Who Am I” by looking at one of the most well-known personality disorders: sociopathy. We’ll explore what it is, where it comes from, and what we can do to interact more skillfully with people who possess it. We also spend a little time investigating how we can work with our own tendencies in that direction if we happen to possess them. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Timestamps: 01:05: Dr. Hanson's new online program: *Neurodharma*. 05:34: What are the attributes of anti-social personality disorder? 10:26: What does a person, showing a little bit of sociopathy, look like day-to-day? 18:12: Where does sociopathy comes from? 30:16: What can we do when in a relationship with a sociopathic person? 36:37: What can we do to make our relationships with "5% sociopaths" more positive? 44:30: Recap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We made it to episode 101! On today's special episode, Forrest talks with Dr. Rick Hanson about his personal journey. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Timestamps: 01:30: What inspired you to become a psychologist? 05:34: What was it like to live through the hight of the human potential movement? 13:13: The influence of contemplative practice. 17:12: Becoming an author, and the process of writing Buddha's Brain. 24:02: What parts of your work are particularly exciting to you these days? 32:09: What have you found in your experience, on a day-to-day level, really makes the greatest difference? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so busy these days that it’s great to have just one thing to focus on: a simple theme each week to reflect on and be inspired by. On this short episode, Dr. Daniel Goleman and Michele Nevarez share the most important thing they do, each day, for their own happiness. Sign-up for Just One Thing from Dr. Rick Hanson here, and receive more simple practices for greater well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re exploring one of the most important topics when it comes to our personal happiness, achievement, and general social functioning: Emotional Intelligence. And we have the absolute pleasure of speaking with one of the most influential people in that very important field. Today we’re joined by two special guests: Dr. Daniel Goleman and Michele Nevarez. You can put Dr. Goleman's expertise into practice with one of his flexible online courses. Want to become more emotionally intelligent? Learn more about getting coached here! Are you interested in becoming certified as an emotional intelligence coach? Follow the link here to learn more about Dr. Goleman's certification program! Timestamps: 01:07: What is the definition of “emotional intelligence,” and how is it different from IQ? 05:55: What are the key things that people can do to develop EQ in general? 10:31: A practice a day for greater EQ. 12:15: Why do you think it so effectivefor personal development to practice warm-heartedness? 14:19: How can we help these virtuous practices have more of an impact over the next 25 years? 18:11: What’s something that parents or adults can do to help their children, or young people in general, learn emotional intelligence skills? 23:23: If you could speak to everyone in the world and tell them one thing, what would you say? 28:35: If you had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have tendencies in our relationships, and particularly our important ones. Some of these are good, while others can be destructive. And sometimes we might find ourselves in cycles where the trajectory of all our important relationships tends to look the same. Today we’re continuing our series on “Who Am I” by taking a look at where those tendencies come from, and how we can work inside ourselves to relate to them and others more effectively. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 01:48: Do we have repetitive patterns in our relationships? 10:12: Social learning and object relations. 21:16: What can we do to be more aware of those damaging patterns? 24:18: Once we’ve recognized those damaging patterns, how do we change? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of their conversation with Dr. Kristin Neff, Forrest and Dr. Hanson speak with her about how we can be compassionate under challenging circumstances. Particularly, how can we bring strength to compassion without tipping into anger? Learn more about Dr. Neff's Mindful Self-Compassion program here. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 01:52: Can we have too much mindfulness? And what do we need in addition to mindfulness to support self-compassion? 06:30: Is there a gender bias in the material on self-compassion? How do people of different genders respond to it differently? 12:22: How can a person be both forceful and compassionate? 16:31: So if you had the opportunity to go back and talk to yourself as a child or young adult, what is something that you would want to say to that person? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have a negative voice that lives inside our heads, and it’s very challenging to perform at our best when we’re not kind and supportive of ourselves. Dr. Hanson and I began our book Resilient with a chapter dedicated to compassion, and particularly self-compassion. It’s the fundamental building block on which our personal growth rests. On this episode, Dr. Hanson and I are joined by one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, Dr. Kristin Neff. Dr. Neff is the Associate Professor of Human Development and Culture in the Educational Psychology Department at the University of Texas at Austin, and she was the first to operationally define and measure the construct over a decade ago. In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she’s developed a program to teach self-compassion skills in daily life, co-created with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer. In the first part of our conversation, we explore the nature of self-compassion, including why it's such an essential skill for personal growth. Learn more about Dr. Neff's Mindful Self-Compassion program here. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 01:18: What lead you from communications to self-compassion? 03:37:How do you define self-compassion differently from how we do casually? 10:08: Why is self-compassion so important? 12:19: How can people grow their self-compassion? 15:23: How do you give yourself self compassion naturally in the course of a day? 17:06: A practice of self-compassion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest and Dr. Hanson answer two questions from listeners related to our important relationships. In the first part, they explore how can we raise resilient children. In the second, they focus on challenging workplace relationships. If you’d like to submit a question to be answered during a future mailbag, use the form on this page. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 00:40: What can we do to raise resilient children? 18:38: How can we deal with aggressive colleges in the workplace? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intuition and personal insight can be powerful tools for determining our individual paths toward well being. But sometimes it's nice to refer to some good, old fashioned empirical evidence, and check in with what the research has to say about a given question! On this episode Dr. Hanson and Forrest are joined by Jason Marsh, the founding editor-in-chief of Greater Good Magazine, published by the Greater Good Science Center. Together they explore key, research-based insights into living a meaningful life. If you would like to receive the GGSC's newsletter, you can sign-up for it here! Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 03:37: What do you mean by "Greater Good"? 05:42: The top 5 take-aways from the research on well-being and resilience. 12:53: Where do self-help trends come from? 15:39: Is there a body of research that you see emerging right now that you think could be the next big thing? 17:50: What areas of study should get more investigation? 21:24: How have you applied the research to your own life? 23:28: Do you think there are ways in which some of the research on particular topics has been misused by people? 28:46: What do you think about the research into well-being being used by companies as a way to increase profitability? 33:21: If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing, what would that be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest continue their series on “Who Am I” by exploring narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. Specifically, how can we take in the healthy narcissistic supplies we need to become confident, effective individuals without falling prey to unhealthy narcissistic tendencies? Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Timestamps: 01:22: How would you, as a clinician, describe the spectrum of narcissism? 04:03: What’s narcissism at the 1%, 5% or even 10% mark? 07:36: How is narcissism distinct from just being confident? 12:47: Where does narcissism come from? 27:48: How can we take in healthy narcissistic supplies without becoming narcissists? 31:32: Should people with 10% narcissism still take in narcissistic supplies? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest answer questions from listeners that explore how we can release our attachment to different experiences, and learn to let go. If you'd like to submit a question, use the form on this page! Timestamps: 1:25: Dealing with a hoarding addiction. 15:23: The difference between chemical and natural states of mind. 24:11: Should we bring pharmaceuticals into our mindfulness practice? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and mindfulness teacher Oren Jay Sofer shares the one thing he does each day for his own well-being. Get more Just One Things from Dr. Rick Hanson here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much of our happiness and well-being comes back to how effectively we’re able to communicate with others – particularly in our important relationships. But how often are we our best selves? Are we able to hear others and speak our mind in a clear and kind way, without either becoming defensive or being excessively punishing and prosecutorial? To help us learn how to do just that, Forrest and Dr. Hanson are joined today by Oren Jay Sofer, the author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication. Learn more about Say What You Mean here Oren's website Timestamps: 1:38: What is Nonviolent Communication? 5:12: The true nature of Nonviolent Communication. 9:25: How this style of communication changes us. 15:08: Why should we communicate this way when other people don't? 20:26: How can we make demands of other people nonviolently? 32:13: If others don't communicate with us in good faith, should we still be nonviolent? 37:32: Lessons for your younger self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During today's special mailbag episode, Dr. Hanson and Forrest answer questions from listeners related to things that can hijack our attention, specifically hysterical and violent forms of media. If you'd like to submit a question, use the form on this page! Royal Society Open Science Study Statement from the Society for Media Psychology and Technology of the American Psychological Association Consortium of Scholars Open Letter PNAS Metaanalysis Timestamps: 2:00: "I feel like our culture bombards us with hysteria. What can we do to stop it from influencing us?" 12:50: "Do violent video games, or other forms of media, cause children to become violent?" 24:45: "How much exposure to intense media would you allow your child?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of their conversation with Dr. Christine Carter, Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore the "Sweet Spot," that place of effortless effectiveness where we can be both productive and relaxed. Our relationships with other people are one of the major influences that can pull us out of that sweet spot, so they are once again a major focus during this episode. Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Key Topics: 0:25: What is the "sweet spot?" 3:30: What pulls us out of the sweet spot? 6:10: How can our important relationships pull us out of the sweet spot? 8:00: How can we know when we've stuck around in a relationship too long, or, on the other hand, when we're leaving too quickly? 10:00: What are things we can influence others on? And what things are unchangeable in our relationship? 14:35: How we can stand up for ourselves. 16:40: How fulfilling our duties fits into the sweet spot. 19:30: How we can find the sweet spot. 21:30: What would you say to your younger self? 23:15: Recap Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Carter shares the most important thing she does each day for her own well-being: finding the time to meditate and accept herself as she is. Sign up for Dr. Rick Hanson's free Just One Thing Newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting and forming strong intimate relationships can be challenging under the best of circumstances, and life is rarely perfect. In this episode Dr. Hanson and Forrest speak with Dr. Christine Carter, author of Raising Happiness and The Sweet Spot, about how we can form strong intimate relationships with our children, parents, and partners. This is the first part of two with Dr. Carter, the second episode in this series will be coming later this week. We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a lot of advice out there, so sometimes it's nice to have one simple thing to focus on. As we continue to speak with an incredible group of experts, we're going to ask them for their Just One Thing: the most important thing they do inside their own mind, each day, for their own well-being. We're beginning the series with Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof. Sign up for Dr. Rick Hanson's free Just One Thing Newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Asprey is the founder and CEO of Bulletproof, a bestselling author, and an award winning podcaster. Today Forrest and Dr. Hanson talk with Dave about the power of biohacking, what truly motivates people to perform at the highest level, and the relationship between peak performance and well-being. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Key Topics: 1:25: Why did you want to perform these experiments on yourself? 2:35: How can you spend so much money on optimizing your health? 5:30: The “scientific religion” and the progression of technology. 8:00: A “bio-hack” anyone can use. 10:20: How do we play at the cutting edge of health while avoiding snake oil? 15:30: Dave’s three most important pieces of advice. 19:55: Should we pursue performance or well-being? 23:00: Do you equate happiness to well-being? 25:00: The three big motivators. 27:40: Surprises from Game Changers. 31:00: Unlearning shame. 32:50: The relationship between body and mind. 36:15: Social hacking. 38:30: What would you say to a younger version of yourself? 41:30: Recap If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore how compassion can serve as an antidote to shame with Dr. Chris Germer, a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Chris is the co-founder of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, and is a founding faculty member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Key Topics: 2:50: Non-duality 4:10: Dr. Germer’s first experience with self-compassion. 7:30: Can you be too mindful? 10:50: Defining self-compassion. 13:20: Mindfulness as a response to suffering. 17:00: Masculinity and self-compassion. 20:20: Becoming more receptive to your suffering. 24:30: How to apply self-compassion. 28:00: State to trait. 30:20: Self-compassion and shame. 34:30: How can compassion for shame reduce aggression? 37:10: What would you tell a younger version of yourself? 40:20: Recap If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsors: Reset and rebalance with Recess, a sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Take 15% off your first order by using code BEINGWELL at checkout. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest continue their series on "Who Am I" by exploring one of the fundamental human experiences: shame. Timestamps: 1:30: Defining shame. 4:10: Is there natural variation in how strongly people feel shame? 9:00: Sociopathy 10:00: Shame injuries and shaming experiences during childhood. 13:30: Developing susceptibility to shame. 18:20: Abuse and shame. 24:30: The complex layering of our emotions. 27:00: Working with and reducing shame. 34:00: Recap Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest and Dr. Hanson speak with many-time bestselling author, award-winning podcaster, and explorer of happiness, good habits, and human nature Gretchen Rubin. Together they talk about the importance of developing good habits, understanding your individual tendencies, and why one size rarely fits all. Purchase Gretchen's new book here: https://amzn.to/2C0uGex Timestamps: 2:10: Gretchen's start in self-help. 4:20: Key takeaways from The Happiness Project. 7:30: Radical transitions. 10:50: How to keep your resolutions. 12:25: The Four Tendencies 19:50: Can you change your temperament? 23:50: Why we have different tendencies. 26:05: Better Than Before 32:00: Can order be taken too far? 35:10: How can habits bring freedom? 40:35: Outer Order, Inner Calm 47:00: Recap Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest and Dr. Hanson continue their series on "Who Am I" with an exploration of tendencies related to obsessive compulsive disorder. This includes how we can manage our own tendencies in that direction, and support others in managing theirs. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price! Timestamps: 3:09: Where does OCD come from? 5:45: What does obsession mean clinically? 10:05: How does OCD differ from other kinds of intrusive thoughts? 12:40: What is a compulsion, and why do obsessions lead to compulsions? 14:15: What does compulsion respond to? 18:25: Why are compulsions so challenging to manage? 22:15: How can we break the connection between obsessions and compulsions? 26:15: How can people learn to manage their obsessions better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest and Matt D’Avella, director of the Netflix documentary Minimalism, explore why minimalism changed Matt's life, how we can become more fulfilled by redefining success, and the importance of taking the first step toward distant goals. Matt's YouTube Channel Matt's Podcast: The Ground Up Show Timestamps: 1:00: The power of establishing routines. 5:45: Finding minimalism. 9:45: Redefining success. 11:40: Lifestyle creep and greed. 14:30: Recognizing our needs. 15:50: Finding buffer time. 20:00: Unplugging from social media. 24:20: Why has minimalism become more popular? 27:00: Objections to minimalism. 30:00: Taking the first step, and being a professional. 37:20: “The Fargo Incident.” 43:00: Coping with feelings of failure. 46:30: Starting from zero. 50:00: Recap Dr. Rick Hanson's Monthly Meditation Program: Use code BEINGWELL for 10% off! Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest continue their series on “Who Am I” by exploring the “how” of managing anxiety. This includes calming and settling ourselves during anxious states, reducing our “trait” of anxiety, and working with others to help them manage their own fears. Timestamps: 2:30: What can we do to cope with anxiety? 5:40: Why don’t we act when we’re anxious? 10:15: The complex emotional stew of anxiety. 15:40: How to investigate the roots of our anxiety. 19:45: Suggestions for reducing trait anxiety. 25:50: How can we support others in managing their anxiety? Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dr. Angela Duckworth joins Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest to explore how we can become more passionate and perseverant when times are tough. About Our Guest: Dr. Angela Duckworth, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, founder of the non-profit Character Lab, and author of the bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Dr. Duckworth has also given an incredibly popular TED talk on the subject of Grit that’s been watched over 20 million times. Timestamps: 1:45: What is grit? 2:10: Where did your interest in grit come from? 4:00: How did you find a sense of purpose? 6:45: Is passion or purpose more important? 9:45: Are there other factors that support grit? 11:30: Does grit feel good? 13:15: How much of what makes us gritty is changeable? 16:00: Can grit be found in communities? 18:45: Developing grit. 22:45: How can we find passions? 25:15: Helping children develop passions. 30:30: How has your research been misunderstood or misused? 32:00: How passion and perseverance support one another. 33:40: How has your work changed your life personally? 35:45: Comparison is the thief of joy. 38:45: Three suggestions for teaching children. If you'd like to sign up for Angela's Thought of the Week, you can do that right here: https://www.characterlab.org/signup Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest continue their series on the central question “Who Am I” by exploring subjects related to the development of fear, wariness, and worry in our often anxious brains. Timestamps: 2:00: Threat, aversion, inhibition, wariness, and anxiety. 6:50: The relationship between wariness and anxiety. 8:20: Anxious states vs. anxiety as a trait. 11:30: Is anxiety genetic? 12:20: Why is there variation in levels of anxiety? 17:40: Can we develop an anxious temperament over time? 21:30: Anxious in some situations but not in others. 24:40: Moving without fear. 27:30: Being afraid of not feeling afraid. 29:20: What is anxiety the shadow of? 35:30: Recap Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest and Lori Deschene, founder of TinyBuddha.com, explore how we can learn to manage paralyzing experiences of anxiety and worry. This includes focusing on what you can control, limiting responsibility to a comfortable level, and developing comfort with uncertainty. Learn more about the Worry Journal and purchase your copy here. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Timestamps: 2:30: What was the inspiration behind Tiny Buddha?5:30: Has engaging with self-help made you personally happier?7:45: Worrying about being enough.12:10: Focusing on what you can control14:00: Recognizing your own strength.15:25: Using creative activities.18:20: Returning to childlike joy.21:45: Limiting responsibility to a comfortable level.26:00: Acknowledging your everyday accomplishments.27:30: Developing comfort with uncertainty.32:00: Being honest with yourself.34:00: Recap If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest begin a new series of episodes dedicated to a simple question: Who am I? To explore this big question, they start by going into what creates our individual variation in personality and temperament, how we’re impacted by our genes and environment, the ups and downs of personality typing, and just how in control of our own nature we really are. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Timestamps: 2:20: Where does personality come from? 5:25: Nature and nurture. 14:30: What can we really control? 19:45: Why we group people. 24:00 Personality typing. 31:00: Expanding the circle of your comfort 35:00: Stereotype threat. 38:30: The village in the mind. 40:00: Recap If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s easy for our New Year's aspirations and goals to come wrapped in a package of self-criticism. To help fight that, Dr. Rick Hanson is joined by Dr. Tara Brach for this special episode. Rick and Tara explore the importance of self-caring how we can grow this critical resource inside ourselves, and why it’s not selfish to be on your own side. If you'd like to learn more about The Foundations of Well Being, follow this link. Timestamps: 3:00: The “sweet spot” of personal growth. 6:45: Why should we open to painful experiences? 10:15: A personal story of self-caring. 14:00: The “near enemies” of self-caring. 16:40: How can we feel the difference between authentic self-caring and imposter emotions? 19:00: Self-caring and wholeness of the self. 21:35: Self-caring without narcissism. 25:55: Facing our needs. 29:30: A practice of self-compassion. 38:35: Seeing through the eyes of another. Sign-up for Dr. Hanson's new monthly meditation program here. Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price: https://bit.ly/2NEnVU3 Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode focuses on getting the most out of your New Year's Resolutions! Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Timestamps: 0:45: Do you make resolutions? 2:30: A process for new resolutions. 4:00: Focused goal setting. 6:10: Good crowds out great. 7:10: Be aware of how setting resolutions makes you feel. 8:30: Pitfalls around resolutions. 12:05: Process vs. outcome. 13:20: Setting goals for love, work, and play. 15:20: The power of little numbers. 19:15: Sticking with resolutions. 21:30: Focusing on what you can control. 23:30: Means and ends. 27:15: Affective forecasting. 29:45: Big picture ends and actionable means. 33:15: Focusing on the present moment. 36:00: Removing negative influences. The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest conclude their yearlong journey through the 12 strengths with a final episode dedicated to opening our hearts to all beings. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's new online program Neurodharma, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 1:30: What does “widening the circle of us” mean? 5:00: The evolution of prejudice. 6:30: What are the benefits to us of widening the circle? 12:30: How can we tell if we’re being discriminatory? 18:30: What can we do to expand the circle of us? 27:10: Key takeaways from the last year. 37:15: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second of our two episodes dedicated to Forgiveness, Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore the tender territory of forgiving yourself.  If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's online program The Foundations of Well Being, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL10 for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 0:45: Why do some people struggle to forgive themselves? 2:30: Why it’s good to forgive yourself. 4:00: Taking maximum reasonable responsibility. 7:15: Feeling appropriate remorse. 11:05: Making amends. 15:20: Seeing the larger causes. 17:15: The balance between taking full responsibility and seeing larger causes. 20:40: Asking for forgiveness. 22:05: Offering forgiveness to yourself. 24:40: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore one of the most important, and challenging, ways we can give to other people: Forgiveness.  If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's online program The Foundations of Well Being, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL10 for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 0:50: What are the two kinds of forgiveness? 2:20: The challenges of forgiveness. 7:10: The real goal of disentangled forgiveness. 8:10: What needs to happen before we disentangle? 11:10: Creating a coherent internal narrative. 14:45: Using forgiveness as a balm to our wounds. 15:30: Suggestions for disentangling. 21:40: How can we know when it’s appropriate to extend a full pardon? 26:45: Remembrance and responsibility. 28:15: A story of full-pardon forgiveness. 31:50: Taking a wide view. 34:15: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each of us gives in many small ways every day. Each of these gifts is valuable, and each is an opportunity to feel good. But it's often hard to experience them that way! Dr. Hanson and Forrest begin the final strength of Generosity by exploring how we can do just that.   If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's online program The Foundations of Well Being, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL10 for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 1:00: What is “everyday giving?” 3:20: The evolution of generosity. 9:25: What generosity gives to us. 12:00: Feeling like a person of value. 15:30: Blocks to giving. 20:00: Compassion and equanimity. 23:30: How to build equanimity. 28:45: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would your behavior change if you framed your actions as offerings to others? Dr. Hanson and Forrest bring the strength of Aspiration to a close by exploring how we can give what's truly in our heart. If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Hanson's online program The Foundations of Well Being, follow this link! Use the code BEINGWELL10 for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 0:25: What does it mean to make your offering? 4:05: How does making your offering support aspiration generally? 5:45: Two blocks to aspiration. 8:45: How making your offering simplifies relationships. 10:10: Finding fertile ground. 13:45: Being wise around persistence. 16:30: How can we find more fertile ground? 23:10: Whole effort, whole heart. 27:15: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hanson and Forrest explore how we can "aspire without attachment;" dreaming big dreams and pursuing them with commitment, while also being at peace with whatever happens. If you'd like to start making real, positive changes to your brain and your life, but you don't have a lot of extra time, then you may want to check out Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price. Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes The material in this podcast comes in large part from our book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. If you like the podcast, you'll love the book! Timestamps: 0:40: What does “aspiring without attachment” mean? 2:45: Why is it a good thing to aspire without attachment? 7:55: Process vs. outcome goals. 10:35: Re-framing what “winning” looks like. 15:00: Accepting the reality of negative outcomes. 16:45: “Failure” as part of a process. 18:45: The power of big goals. 20:30: Relaxing the sense of self. 28:15: Being carried by purpose 31:00: Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices