10% Happier with Dan Harris

We're all hooked on something. Here's the way out, according to an MD who became a beloved nun. Sister Dang Nghiem, MD, ("Sister D") was born in 1968 in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, the daughter of a Vietnamese mother and an American soldier. She lost her mother at the age of twelve and immigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen with her brother. Living in various foster homes, she learned English and went on to earn a medical degree from the University of California – San Francisco. After suffering further tragedy and loss, she quit her practice as a doctor to travel to Plum Village monastery in France founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, where she was ordained a nun in 2000, and given the name Dang Nghiem, which means adornment with nondiscrimination. She is the author of a memoir, Healing: A Woman's Journey from Doctor to Nun (2010), and Mindfulness as Medicine: A Story of Healing and Spirit (2015). This episode is part of our monthlong Do Life Better series. We talk about: Sister D's Buddhist version of the 12 step program, which is a combination of two canonical buddhist lists: the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path How willpower doesn't fit into the Buddhist path of understanding and working with addiction How to change addiction at its root Practical applications of mindfulness Self-compassion The importance of social support Her thoughts on our relationships to our phones And more Related Episodes: This Episode Will Make You Stronger | Sister Dang Nghiem The Science Of Manifestation | James Doty Sign up for Dan's newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://www.meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/sister-d-899 Additional Resources: Plum Village Deer Park Monastery Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel For an exclusive offering related to this episode, go to www.DanHarris.com

Leveling up, speaking your mind, and why the ability to hear no is the only superpower that matters. Scott Galloway is Professor of Marketing at NYU's Stern School of Business and a serial entrepreneur. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Four, The Algebra of Happiness, Post Corona, Adrift: America in 100 Charts and The Algebra of Wealth. His most recent book Notes on Being a Man reached #1 on The New York Times Best Seller List. In this episode we talk about: Why "action absorbs anxiety" and other strategies for stress and overthinking Galloway's three-pillar framework for modern masculinity How to handle criticism Fighting tech algorithms to build real-world relationships Embracing the word "no" to build resilience and success Why young people should follow their talent rather than their passion Signaling value through humor and small, daily acts of kindness Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: Prof G Pod Pivot Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris Thanks to our sponsors: Northwest Registered Agent — LLC formation, registered agent service, and free business resources at https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/Happierfree Square – Run your business smarter with Square. You can get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/happier. Gusto – Try Gusto today at gusto.com/happier and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Leesa — Go to leesa.com for 25% off select mattresses, plus get an extra $50 off with promo code HAPPIER.

The world is insane. You don't have to be. These Buddhist practices can help you handle it without succumbing to fear, anxiety, hatred, and apathy. Tara Brach is a legendary meditation teacher and psychologist. She is the founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington and has been active in bringing meditation into schools, prisons and underserved populations. Her latest book is The Courageous Heart Workbook: Choosing to Love in Perilous Times. In this episode we talk about: What "spiritual audacity" means — and where the term comes from Why shutting down emotionally feels like self-protection but isn't How caring is a more effective fuel than rage What lovingkindness meditation is — and how to do it The RAIN practice — and how to use it on difficult emotions Why small, local acts of service count as activism How to use your imagination to feel compassion for people you can't stand Related Episodes: Tara Brach Has A Counterintuitive Strategy For Navigating Tumultuous Times Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp — Online therapy, matched to your needs. Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/happier LinkedIn Ads — Reach the right professionals with precision targeting. Spend $250 on your first campaign and get a $250 credit for the next one at http://www.linkedin.com/happier

Plus: how to handle discomfort, be more present, and remember to be aware throughout your day. Most of us spend our days somewhere between the past and the future — technically conscious, but not really there. Meditation teacher Susa Talan takes live questions from practitioners on what it actually means to show up for your own life, and how to do it even when you can't sit still, even when you're crying, even when anxiety has narrowed your whole world down to a single racing heartbeat. Susa Talan is a meditation teacher trained in the insight tradition. She works one-on-one with students around their meditation practice, and she was the Teacher of the Month for April 2026 for DanHarris.com. You can get more guided meditations from Susa in the 10% with Dan Harris app. In this live Q&A, Susa Talan shares: Why awareness isn't hard — what's actually hard is remembering to be aware The "what else is here?" technique for working with anxiety and heart palpitations Why you don't need to understand why you cry in meditation — and what to do instead How to cultivate awareness all day long, not just on the cushion Why meditation has nothing to do with sitting still — and everything to do with the whole car ride Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join Dan, Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18, 2026. Register here. To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

The neuroscience of human connection: your nervous system is picking up other people's signals all day without your knowledge. Here's how to use that. Journalist Kate Murphy's eclectic essays and articles for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Agence France-Presse, and Texas Monthly have been shared and commented on by millions. She is known for her fresh and accessible style and ability to distill complex subjects, particularly the science behind human interactions. Her first book, You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters, was published in thirty-two languages and has become required reading in interpersonal communication courses at high schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. In this episode we talk about: What "interpersonal synchrony" is and the science behind it Why some people just click — and others don't How individualism and technology are working against our need to connect What "affective presence" is –– and how much you can actually change your vibe Interoception – and why you need to understand your own body before you can read others The dark side of synchrony: emotional fusion and borrowed emotions Why audio-only calls are better than Zoom for real connection How physical distance controls your ability to sync "Emotional aperture" — how to read a room like a trial lawyer The secret to bonding with other people Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! This episode is sponsored by: Spark — Clean energy and focus with zero sugar. Get 30% off and free shipping with code HAPPIER at https://www.drinkspark.com. BetterHelp — Online therapy, matched to your needs. Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/happier. To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

Why you'll never find happiness where you're looking for it–and where to look instead. Joseph Goldstein is a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, both in Barre, Massachusetts. He is the author of many books including, most recently, Dreamscapes of the Mind. In this episode we talk about: Why desire and wanting can keep us stuck in cycles of dissatisfaction The difference between momentary pleasure and deeper happiness A practical way to watch cravings arise and pass without reacting Why "not wanting" can feel surprisingly relieving The Buddhist framework of gratification, danger, and escape How to think about contentment and the question: how much is enough? The difference between guilt and wise remorse How desire, lust, and craving can distort judgment Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: Dharma Seed - freely offered talks from Western Buddhist Vipassana teachers This episode is sponsored by Function Health — 160+ lab tests a year for $365, with the ability to dive deeper into your results through Function's connections to platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. Join at https://www.functionhealth.com/happier or use code HAPPIER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

The simple practice and surprising benefits of yoga nidra, a guided lying-down meditation. Plus: parts work, core beliefs, and the blind spot effect. This episode originally aired in December 2022. Kelly Boys is a mindfulness trainer and coach. She has helped design and deliver mindfulness and resilience programs for the UN, Google, and San Quentin State Prison. She is also the author of The Blind Spot Effect: How to Stop Missing What's Right in Front of You. Today we're going to talk specifically about a type of meditation that Kelly teaches called Yoga Nidra, which has been shown to help you sleep, improve your working memory, and decrease cravings. In this episode we talk about: The difference between Yoga Nidra and mindfulness meditation, and how Kelly seeks to combine them The value of being able to both observe and high-five your demons Working with our "core beliefs" about ourselves and the world The calming power of drawing your attention to the back side of your body throughout the day Working with "opposites" as a way to get unstuck in difficult moments What Kelly means by the blind spot effect Setting intentions Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. Register here. Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

Creatine, melatonin, peptides, protein powders, green powders, probiotics, multivitamins, and much more: A pharmaceutical scientist breaks down the evidence and busts the myths. Dr. Mahtab Jafari is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Irvine, and the Founding Director of the UC Irvine Center for Healthspan Sciences. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Truth About Dietary Supplements: An Evidence- Based Guide to a Safer Medicine Cabinet. In this episode we talk about: Product quality, safety, and regulation The most important thing to do before starting dietary supplements Vitamins B, C, and D (and the multivitamin debate) The research on amino acids and peptides The truth behind sleep supplements The efficacy of herbs, botanicals, and green powders Heavy metal risk factors Supplements for brain health and muscle growth Probiotics and gut health Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. Register here. Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/happier. Fast Growing Trees: Get 20% off your first purchase when using the code HAPPIER at checkout, fastgrowingtrees.com. Warby Parker: Buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at warbyparker.com/happier. To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris

Manoush Zomorodi is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and host of NPR's "TED Radio Hour," where she explores fascinating ideas with the world's greatest thinkers. She is the author of a new book called BODY ELECTRIC: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being. You can also subscribe to her newsletter, Manoush Minutes. In this episode we talk about: What constant screen time is doing to your brain and body Why feeling tired all the time might not be what you think A simple shift that could boost your energy and focus The hidden ways tech is messing with your physical health What you're missing when you ignore your body's signals Why more productivity hacks might actually backfire Small changes that could make a big difference in how you feel Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. Register here. Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/happier. Wix: Ready to create your website? Go to Wix.com/Harmony. Fatty15: You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription starter kit by going to fatty15.com/happier and using the code HAPPIER at checkout.

Practical advice for handling anxiety, envy, and that feeling that you're a bad person. What happens when a deck of cards controls the conversation? On Wild Card, hosted by Rachel Martin, that's the whole idea — and when Dan sat down as a guest, the cards led somewhere genuinely interesting. In this episode: why Dan keeps going on silent meditation retreats even though loneliness is the hardest part; what finally made him delete Instagram; the "good-ish" concept that unlocked a new relationship with self-criticism; and a deep dive into the Buddhist take on the soul — which turns out to be a lot more useful than it sounds. Wild Card is produced by NPR. Join Dan's online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. Register here. Join Dan, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18. Grab your in-person spot here, or sign up to livestream here! To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris