The Buddha taught a path of awakened living, but how does that manifest in today’s world of constant connectivity and widespread suffering? How do we keep our hearts open without being defined or hardened by the pain that surrounds us, whether personal, collective, or historical? How do we navigate the paradox of holding both pain and joy, without mistaking suffering for punishment or personal failure? Can we infuse our compassion with wisdom and perspective to find the agency to take meaningful...
May 14, 2026•51 min•Ep. 286
The Buddha taught a path of awakened living, but how does that manifest in today’s world of constant connectivity and widespread suffering? How do we keep our hearts open without being defined or hardened by the pain that surrounds us, whether personal, collective, or historical? How do we navigate the paradox of holding both pain and joy, without mistaking suffering for punishment or personal failure? Can we infuse our compassion with wisdom and perspective to find the agency to take meaningful...
Apr 28, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 285
For episode 284, devon and nico hase return to the Metta Hour to speak with Sharon about their new book, This Messy, Gorgeous Love: A Buddhist Guide to Lasting Partnership . devon and nico serve as guiding teachers of the online dharma community Refuge of Belonging. They teach at the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, and other centers, offer online and in-person retreats, and speak with students in one-on-one sessions. Their first book How Not to Be a Hot Mess , came out in 2020 and their...
Apr 14, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 284
The Buddha taught a path of awakened living, but how does that manifest in today’s world of constant connectivity and widespread suffering? How do we keep our hearts open without being defined or hardened by the pain that surrounds us, whether personal, collective, or historical? How do we navigate the paradox of holding both pain and joy, without mistaking suffering for punishment or personal failure? Can we infuse our compassion with wisdom and perspective to find the agency to take meaningful...
Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 283
For episode 282, Elisha Goldstein , PhD, returns to the Metta Hour to speak with Sharon about his new book, Tiny Shifts: How Emotional Health Transforms Stress, Relationships, and Longevity. Elisha Goldstein is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living and Psychotherapy in Los Angeles. For over two decades, he has helped people break free from the conditioning that keeps them stuck in cycles of stress and overwhelm, uncovering how emotional ...
Mar 17, 2026•59 min•Ep. 282
The Buddha taught a path of awakened living, but how does that manifest in today’s world of constant connectivity and widespread suffering? How do we keep our hearts open without being defined or hardened by the pain that surrounds us, whether personal, collective, or historical? How do we navigate the paradox of holding both pain and joy, without mistaking suffering for punishment or personal failure? Can we infuse our compassion with wisdom and perspective to find the agency to take meaningful...
Mar 04, 2026•58 min•Ep. 281
For episode 280 of the Metta Hour, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Insight Meditation Society, which opened doors on Valentine’s Day in 1976. Today, IMS is one of the Western world’s oldest and most respected meditation retreat centers, dedicated to providing a spiritual refuge for all who seek freedom of mind and heart. The Retreat Center offers a range of silent meditation courses, ranging from a weekend to three months. IMS Online offers retreats, sanghas, dharma talks, courses...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 280
For episode 279, Jack Kornfield returns to the Metta Hour to talk about his new book, “All in This Together: Stories and Teachings for Loving Each Other and Our World.” Jack trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma, and India and has taught worldwide since 1974. He is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practices to the West. He is the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and of Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. He holds a PhD in clinical psychology an...
Feb 03, 2026•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 279
For episode 278, Sharon sits down with author and friend, Parvati Markus , the editor of the new Ram Dass book, “ There is No Other: The Way to Harmony and Wholeness.” Parvati is a developmental editor who has been midwifing non-fiction books and memoirs since her first efforts with Ram Dass’s classic Be Here Now. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the Love Serve Remember Foundation and has helped with many other spiritual organizations and events. Parvati is also the author of numerous boo...
Jan 20, 2026•55 min•Ep. 278
For episode 277, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl , released on December 9th! Written with Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness . For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the f...
Jan 07, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 277
For episode 276, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl , released on December 9th! Written with Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness . In this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the fa...
Dec 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 276
For episode 275, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl , out now! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness . To learn more about Sharon’s children’s book, Kind Karl , and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here . For this podcast series, Sharon speaks ...
Dec 09, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 275
Sharon joins Raghu and Duncan on the Mindrolling Podcast to discuss the loving-kindness lessons in her first children’s book, Kind Karl . Together, they explore how mindful kids grow into mindful adults and why these teachings matter. Kind Karl will be released on 12/9! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and p...
Dec 05, 2025•53 min•Ep. 275
For episode 274, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl , coming out on December 9th! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness . To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here . For this ...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 274
For episode 273, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl , coming out on December 9th! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness . For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages a...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 273
For episode 272, we are launching a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, coming out on December 9th! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here . For this pod...
Oct 28, 2025•55 min•Ep. 272
For episode 271, Sharon sits down with poet, author and Zen master Henry Shukman. After a spontaneous spiritual awakening at the age of 19, Henry embarked on a long journey of healing and deeper awakening through meditation. Since then, he has been leading a growing number of practitioners in Europe and the US. He is the Spiritual Director Emeritus of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Henry has also created the app, The Way , and is the author of several books, including his lat...
Oct 14, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 271
For episode 270, we bring you the second of a two-part episode from the archives. Recorded in the early 2010s in a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, Sharon is teaching on Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances. In this teaching, Sharon speaks about: • Brief History of IMS • The word Lovingkindness • the cultural baggage of “love” • The reality of interconnection • “Never throw anyone out of your heart” - NKB • Looking for the good • How to make a gratitude list • Sharon’s only joke • Making...
Sep 26, 2025•49 min•Ep. 270
For episode 269, we bring you the first of a two-part episode from the archives.Recorded in the early 2010s in a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, Sharon is teaching on Lovingkindness in Difficult Circumstances. In this teaching, Sharon speaks about: • Her travel adventure to North Carolina • Her first impressions of Asian philosophy • Changing our relationship to joy & delight • Transforming our relationship to suffering • Awakening to the realm of neutral experiences • Sharon’s first tim...
Sep 02, 2025•52 min•Ep. 269
For episode 268, Emma Seppälä returns to the Metta Hour for our ongoing Anxiety Series. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the eighth episode in the series. Emma Seppälä is a best-selling author, Yale lecturer, and international keynote speaker. She teaches executives at the Yale School of Management and is faculty director of the Yale School of Management’s W...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 268
For episode 267, Deb Dana makes her first appearance on the Metta Hour for our ongoing Anxiety Series. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the seventh episode in the series. Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer on polyvagal theory-informed work with trauma survivors and is the leading translator of this scientific work ...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 267
For episode 266, Amishi Jha returns to the Metta Hour for our ongoing Anxiety Series. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the sixth episode in the series. Amishi is Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. She studies the brain’s attention system and the effects of mindfulness training on resilience and perf...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 266
For episode 265, Sharon speaks with and activist and author, Shanon Watts about her new book, Fired Up . Shannon is the founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest grassroots group fighting gun violence in the U.S. Known as the ‘summoner of women’s audacity,’ she has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. Shannon is also an active board member of Emerge America, one of the nation’s leading organizations for recruitin...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 265
For episode 264, Soren Gordhamer returns to the Metta Hour for our ongoing Anxiety Series. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the fifth episode in the series. Soren Gordhamer is the founder and host of Wisdom 2.0, the premier conference exploring living with greater mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion in the modern age. He is also a Co-Founder and General Part...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 264
For episode 263 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Anxiety Series with a re-release of a conversation with Dr. Richie J. Davidson, PhD, that originally aired in 2023. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers, and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the fourth episode in the series. Richie Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Ma...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 263
For episode 262, Sharon speaks with Scott Barry Kaufman as part of the Metta Hour Anxiety Series. In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D., is a cognitive scientist and humanistic psychologist exploring the depths of human potential. He is founder of the Center for Human Potential and founder of Self-Actualization Coaching. Scott is the author of eleven...
Apr 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 262
For episode 261, Dr. Jenny Taitz returns to the Metta Hour for our Anxiety Series. Jenny is a clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed her fellowship in psychology at Yale University School of Medicine and achieved board certifications in cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. In addition to treating clients in her private therapy practice, LA CBT DBT, she is t he author of How to B...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 261
For episode 260, we are launching a new Anxiety Series on the Metta Hour. Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers and researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. To launch the series, Sharon sits down with Dr. Jud Brewer MD, Ph.D. Dr, Jud is a New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery,” who blends over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training and a career in scient...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 260
For episode 259, we bring you the second half of a two-part series on the Force of Kindness. Listen to the first part of this series released earlier in February of 2025 right here . His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated, “My true religion is kindness.” Although frequently denigrated in our culture as simplistic and weak, the quality of kindness has an inherent power to transform our worldview from one of fear and isolation to one rooted in clarity, courage and compassion in action. Kindness is...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 259
For episode 258, we bring you the first half of a two-part series on the Force of Kindness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated, “My true religion is kindness.” Although frequently denigrated in our culture as simplistic and weak, the quality of kindness has an inherent power to transform our worldview from one of fear and isolation to one rooted in clarity, courage and compassion in action. Kindness is the fuel that helps us truly “walk our talk” of love. Recording in December or 2024 by the...
Feb 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 258
