Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

Ep. 138 – Real Change Series: David DeSteno

For episode 138 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with David DeSteno. David is a Psychologist who studies the ways in which emotions guide decisions and behaviors fundamental to social living. David is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University, where he directs the Social Emotions Group. At the broadest level, his work examines the mechanisms of the mind that shape vice and virtue. Studying hypocrisy and compassion, pride and punishment, cheating and trust, his work continually reveals...

Ep. 137 – Real Change Series: Killian Noe

For episode 137 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with Killian Noe. Killian is the Founding Director of Recovery Café, providing a beautiful, safe, warm, drug and alcohol-free space and loving community to anchor Members in the sustained recovery needed to gain and maintain access to housing, social and health services, healthy relationships, education and employment. Before starting Recovery Café in 2004, Killian co-founded Samaritan Inns, a non-profit in Washington DC, which provides transition...

Ep. 136 – Real Change Series: Soren Gordhamer

For episode 136 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with friend and colleague, Soren Gordhamer. Soren is the founder and host of Wisdom 2.0 , and the author of the book by the same name. He has spoken on and taught mindfulness to people around the world–from youth in New York City’s juvenile halls, to trauma workers in Rwanda, to the staff at Google’s corporate headquarters. This is the ninth episode of the Real Change Podcast series. In this conversation, Soren and Sharon discuss the role that med...

Ep. 135 – Real Change Series: Jack Kornfield

For episode 135 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with one of her oldest friends and colleagues, Jack Kornfield. Jack Kornfield is a beloved author and meditation teacher who trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974, and his books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. A longtime activist, Jack discusses with Sharon the role of an engaged life in the spiritual path, as taug...

Ep. 134 – Real Change Series: Marc Solomon

For episode 134 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with social change agent, Marc Solomon. Marc is a nationally recognized political strategist and campaign leader with 25 years of experience in strategy, campaign management, policy development and execution, messaging and communications leadership, and field mobilization. Marc was one of the key architects of the marriage equality movement and has applied lessons from the marriage equality movement to help secure impactful criminal justice reform...

Ep. 133 – Real Change Series: Anu Gupta

For episode 133 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with Anu Gupta. Anu Gupta is a scientist, educator and lawyer. He is the Founder of Be More with Anu, a science-backed, compassion-based approach, after conducting decade-long research on the causes of and solutions to racial and gender inequality. In this episode, Sharon and Anu speak at length about Anu’s personal journey to becoming a meditator, and his work as a facilitator in breaking bias, healing trauma, mending policies, and channeling res...

Ep. 132 – Real Change Series: Yung Pueblo

For episode 132 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks Diego Perez, known more commonly as Yung Pueblo, for the Real Change Podcast Series. Diego is a meditator, writer, and speaker who is widely known on Instagram and various social media networks through his pen name Yung Pueblo. Online he reaches hundreds of thousands of people every month through his written works that focus on the reality of self-healing, the movement from self-love to unconditional love, and the wisdom that comes when we...

Ep. 131 – Real Change Series: Sylvia Boorstein

For episode 131 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with her close friend, Sylvia Boorstein for the Real Change Podcast Series. Sylvia Boorstein has been teaching Dharma and mindfulness meditation since 1985, and is the author of five books. She is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, a psychotherapist, wife, mother and grandmother.vIn this conversation Sharon and Sylvia talk about their initial meeting in the1980s through lovingkindness practice, and how that practice has shaped Sy...

Ep. 130 – Real Change Series: Joel Leon

For episode 130 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks Joel Leon. Joel is a performer, author, and storyteller who writes and tells stories for Black people. Born and raised in the Bronx, Joel specializes in moderating and leading conversations surrounding race, masculinity, mental health, creativity and the performing arts, with love at the center of his work and purpose. He is the author of “Book About Things I Will Tell My Daughter” and “God Wears Durags, Too”. This is the third episode of ...

Ep. 129 – Real Change Series: Sebene Selassie

For episode 129 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with friend and colleague, Sebene Selassie for the Real Change Series. Sebene Selassie has been teaching meditation workshops, courses and retreats for over a decade and her first book, “You Belong” was released in August of 2020 by HarperOne. She has studied Buddhism for over 30 years and received a BA from McGill University in Religious and Women’s Studies and an MA from the New School where she focused on cultural studies and race. Her ...

Ep. 128 – Real Change Series: Sensei Joshin Byrnes

For episode 128 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with Sensei Joshin Byrnes for the Real Change Series. Sensei Joshin Byrnes is a Zen priest, teacher, activist, and the founder of the Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community in Vermont. Joshin maintains a core practice of bearing witness to homelessness by offering street retreats in cities around the country and has spent much of his career working for social change nonprofits in the areas of AIDS and HIV prevention, child welfare, and communit...

Ep. 127 – A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment with Bethany Saltman

For episode 127 of the Metta Hour, Sharon chats with Bethany Saltman about her new book, Strange Situation. Bethany is an author, award-winning editor, and researcher. Her work can be seen in magazines like the New Yorker, New York Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Parents, Town & Country, and many others. Her first book, “Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment” was just released in April of 2020. In this conversation, Bethany and Sharon discuss attachment theory in t...

Ep. 126 – Revolutionary Love with Valarie Kaur

For episode 126 of the Metta Hour, Sharon speaks with civil rights activist, filmmaker, lawyer and innovator, Valarie Kaur. Valarie is the founder of The Revolutionary Love Project and has won policy change on multiple fronts – hate crimes, racial profiling, immigration detention, solitary confinement, Internet freedom, and more. Her new book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love was just released in June of 2020. In this conversation, Valarie talks about her roots growi...

Ep. 125 – The Inner Work of Racial Justice w/ Rhonda V. Magee

For episode 125 of the Metta Hour, Sharon is re-releasing a previously released episode of the podcast from 2018, featuring a conversation with colleague Rhonda V. Magee. Rhonda is Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, and is an internationally-recognized thought and practice leader on integrating Mindfulness into Higher Education, Law and Social Justice. She is the author of the 2019 book, “The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Throu...

Ep. 124 – Mindful of Race with Ruth King

For episode 124 of the Metta Hour, Sharon is re-releasing a previously released episode of the podcast from 2018, featuring a conversation with author, teacher, and activist, Ruth King. Ruth King is an international teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition, blending mindfulness and meditation principles with an exploration of racial conditioning and its impact. She is the author of “Mindful of Race,” published in June of 2018. In this conversation, Ruth and Sharon speak at length about racial...

Ep. 123 – Embodied Change with Dr. Rick Hanson

Dr. Rick Hanson visits Sharon to explore resiliency, lasting traits, and the intersection of neuroscience and spirituality. In this episode of the Metta Hour, Sharon is joined by Dr. Rick Hanson, the author of the new book Neurodharma. In this joyful and bright conversation, these two teachers uncover and elucidate core themes from the book, sharing anecdotal experiences to bring to life concepts and lessons which are both timely and insightful. Would you like to find out how to reach your highe...

Ep. 122 – Being a Human in the Time of Coronavirus

Many are experiencing loneliness and deep feelings of disconnect during this period of quarantine due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Sharon Salzberg offers wisdom for being with ourselves in these difficult emotional states, and how to tap into a more rooted truth of our authentic self, as well as the interconnection that surrounds our lives. Sharon also leads a guided meditation centered around the breath with an emphasis on counteracting the biological effects of quarantine stressors. See Privac...

Ep. 121 – A Pandemic of Love w/ Shelly Tygielski

Mindfulness teacher and grassroots community organizer Shelly Tygielski joins Sharon Salzberg for a conversation around supporting one another through community and integrating mindfulness into social activism. Shelly Tygielski is the founder of Yuru Meditation and the mutual aid community Pandemic of Love, which was started in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Pandemic of Love began on March 14th, 2020 with the humble intention of helping people in Shelly’s local community. However, that act o...

Ep. 120 – Responding to Suffering in the Time of Coronavirus

Sharon Salzberg shares a reflection and guided practice around how we relate to suffering and better recognizing when we are swept away by thought, pain and emotion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ep. 119 – Finding the Middle Ground

Recorded live at the University of Virginia’s Contemplative Sciences Center, Sharon offers her perspective on the evolving role of contemplative practice in modern life and how we can find the middle way through all things with the help of mindfulness. Would you like to be part of the next generation of mindfulness meditation instructors? If so, we invite you to take a unique opportunity to study with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and become a certified instructor to guide others in their practi...

Ep. 118 – Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity, and Joy with Dr. Shauna Shapiro

Ep. 117 – Connecting the Dots Between Practice and Action with Carla Goldstein

For Episode 117 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with teacher and activist, Carla Goldstein. Carla Goldstein, JD, is president of Omega Institute and cofounder of the Omega Women's Leadership Center. An attorney with 25 years of experience in public interest advocacy, she has contributed to more than 100 city, state, and federal laws, and has worked extensively in city and state government on issues related to women’s rights, poverty, public health, and social justice. She is a commentat...

Ep. 116 – Nourishing Your Emotional Well-Being with Dr. Sona Dimidjian

For Episode 116 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon shares a conversation with Dr. Sona Dimidjian. Dr. Sona Dimidjian is a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on cultivating mental health and wellness among women, children, and families. She develops and studies programs and practices in education and healthcare settings, with an emphasis on navigating key developmental transitions, such as the perinatal period, ear...

Ep. 115 – Leslie Salmon Jones

Ep. 114 – Remembering Ram Dass with Mirabai Bush and Raghu Markus

For Episode 115 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon sits down with Mirabai Bush and Raghu Markus in remembrance of the life and teachings of Ram Dass, who passed away on December 22, 2019. In this intimate conversation, these three longtime friends speak candidly about their personal loss in Ram Dass’ death and the loss the larger community is experiencing. They share old stories about knowing Ram Dass since the 1970s, and how his friendship has shaped each of their lives. They also discuss the bo...

Ep. 113 – A Liberated Mind with Steven C. Hayes

For Episode 113 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon is in conversation with Dr. Steven C. Hayes, PhD. Steven C. Hayes is a professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the author of over 40 books and hundreds of scientific articles and has served as president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Dr. Hayes initiated the development of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and of Relational Frame Theory and his...

Ep. 112 – A Buddhist Guide to Feeling Worthy with Adreanna Limbach

For Episode 112 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with meditation teacher Adreanna Limbach. Adreanna Limbach is a meditation instructor, personal development coach, and the author of the book, “Tea and Cake With Demons.” In this episode, Sharon and Adreanna speak about how Adreanna came to the path of meditation, and how that led her to teaching and coaching work. They speak at length about Adreanna’s new book “Tea and Cake With Demons” which was recently released in July of 2019 by Sound...

Ep. 111 – Walking Through Anger with Dr. Christian Conte

For Episode 111 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon interviews Dr. Christian Conte, PhD. Christian is a licensed professional counselor, a certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and one of a handful of top-level Certified Anger Management Specialist in the world. Dr. Christian Conte currently applies his Yield Theory in maximum-security prisons throughout Pennsylvania and speaks to Law Enforcement officials around the country. In this episode, Sharon and Christian speak about his extensive work in...

Ep. 110 – Embodied Mindfulness with Joseph Goldstein

For Episode 110 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon speaks with her longtime colleague, friend, and collaborator Joseph Goldstein. This episode was recorded in 2018 at the Garrison Institute at a retreat co-taught by Sharon and Joseph, entitled, “Experiencing Insight & Love”. Includes a guided meditation led by Joseph on Mindfulness of the Body, a guided walking meditation led by Sharon, and a question and answer session with retreat participants. To learn more about Joseph’s work, you can vis...

Ep. 109 – Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

For Episode 109 of the Metta Hour Podcast, Sharon and colleague Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel explore the topic of Faith. Elizabeth is a teacher and author, and has studied and practiced the Buddhadharma for 35 years under the guidance of her teacher and husband Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. She is the retreat master of Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado and has spent over six years in retreat. She holds a degree in anthropology and an M.A. in Buddhist Studies and teaches worldwide. This episode was recor...