Maggie Smith is a poet whose work has been widely published, anthologized, and has appeared in Best American Poetry, the New York Times, The New Yorker and elsewhere. Her latest book, Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change , a collection of essays and quotes, is a national bestseller. In this episode, Maggie and Eric discuss this new book and how for her, writing poetry is having a conversation with herself, problem solving, and healing on paper. If you’d...
Jan 19, 2021•56 min•Ep 371•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Jud Brewer is a thought leader in the field of habit change and the science of self-mastery. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University. In this episode, Eric and Dr. Jud talk about his book, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind and they explore something called the Habit Loop, using it to understand and...
Jan 12, 2021•53 min•Ep 370•Transcript available on Metacast Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. Her latest book is called, WILD MERCY: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics . In this episode, Eric and Mirabai explore the intersection of interspiritualit...
Jan 05, 2021•48 min•Ep 369•Transcript available on Metacast Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison is a Zen teacher and co-founder with his partner, Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell, of the New York Zen Center of Contemplative Care. He’s also an author, a Jungian psychotherapist, and a Certified Chaplaincy Educator. In this episode, Koshin Paley and Eric discuss his newest book, Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up , and how we can live in such a way that we integrate all of the parts of ourselves into a loving, wholehearted being. As we approach a ne...
Dec 29, 2020•53 min•Ep 368•Transcript available on Metacast Wim Hof is a Dutch extreme athlete noted for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures. Wim has set world records for swimming under ice and prolonged full-body contact with ice and still holds the record for a barefoot half marathon on ice and snow. He attributes these feats to the technique outlined in his book, The Wim Hof Method . In this episode, Wim and Eric talk about how we can cultivate strength, resilience, and healing within ourselves using the three techniques outlined in ...
Dec 22, 2020•51 min•Ep 367•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Aziz Gazipura is a clinical psychologist and one of the worlds leading experts on social confidence. After being stuck in shyness and social anxiety himself for almost 10 years, he became determined to find a way to social freedom. In this episode, Eric and Aziz discuss his book, On My Own Side: Transform Self Criticism And Self Doubt Into Permanent Self Worth And Confidence . They dive into the connection between our inner critic and social anxiety and talk about how to transfo...
Dec 15, 2020•52 min•Ep 366•Transcript available on Metacast Sonia Roberts is an educator, writer, creator, and activist. Sonia writes about racism, spirituality, parenting, and much more in her Spiritually Speaking blog. Her first book is White Ally: A Guide To Cultivating A Deeply Spiritual Anti-Racism Practice. In this episode, Eric and Sonia explore the intersection of transformational inner work within ourselves and transformational outer work in the world, specifically when it comes to practicing anti-racism. But wait – there’...
Dec 08, 2020•42 min•Ep 365•Transcript available on Metacast Paria Hassouri is a pediatrician, writer, transgender rights activist, wife and mother of three children. Her personal essays have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Huffington Post, and many more. In this episode, Eric and Paria talk about her book, Found In Transition: A Mother’s Evolution During Her Child’s Gender Change . Her story of understanding, accepting, and ultimately supporting her daughter as a transgender girl is so honest and beautiful and inspi...
Dec 01, 2020•46 min•Ep 364•Transcript available on Metacast Cory Allen is a writer, musician, meditation teacher, and creator of the podcast, The Astral Hustle, which focuses on how to live better with leading experts in mindfulness, neuroscience, and philosophy. Cory believes that the more we understand ourselves, the less we suffer. In this episode, Cory and Eric discuss his book, Now Is The Way: An Unconventional Approach To Modern Mindfulness. But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can acce...
Nov 24, 2020•50 min•Ep 363•Transcript available on Metacast Bina Venkataraman is an American journalist, author, and science policy expert. She is currently the Editorial Page Editor of The Boston Globe and a fellow at New America. Bina is a frequent public speaker whose appearances have included the TED mainstage, NPR, Aspen Ideas, MSNBC, CNN, and university campuses around the world. Bina formerly served as Senior Advisor for Climate Change Innovation in the Obama White House and she also advised the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Techn...
Nov 17, 2020•52 min•Ep 362•Transcript available on Metacast IN-Q is an award-winning poet, best-selling author, and multi-platinum songwriter. His groundbreaking achievements include being named to Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 list of the world’s most influential thought leaders, being the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque Du Soleil, and being featured on A&E, ESPN, and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. He’s inspired audiences around the world through his live performances and storytelling workshops. Many of his recent poetry videos have gone viral ...
Nov 10, 2020•47 min•Ep 361•Transcript available on Metacast Ella Frances Sanders is an internationally-bestselling author and illustrator of three books. Her third book, Eating the Sun: Small Musings on a Vast Universe , was the recipient of the 2019 Whirling Prize for Prose and has been translated into many languages. In this episode, Eric and Ella have a delicious conversation about this lovely book that contains all sorts of interesting facts and beautiful illustrations about our universe and how we as humans relate to such things. But wait – th...
Nov 03, 2020•44 min•Ep 360•Transcript available on Metacast Due to the ongoing global pandemic, devastating natural disasters, contentious elections, and instances of heartbreaking violence and injustice, challenging times continue. To help you strengthen your resilience, we’re releasing this special episode which features all-new interviews with 4 previous guests of the show. The guests of this special episode are Ellen Bass , Parker Palmer , Spring Washam , and Ralph De La Rosa . But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep 359•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Shauna Shapiro is a professor, best-selling author, clinical psychologist, and internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion. She has published over 150 journal articles and 3 critically acclaimed books translated into 16 languages. Her most recent book is called, Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity, and Joy . In this episode, Eric and Shauna Shapiro talk about how we can cultivate transformat...
Oct 20, 2020•44 min•Ep 358•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Ken Druck is a leading mental health expert in the areas of civility, relationships, and aging. Ken writes regularly for the national press and he is the author of several books including the one discussed in this episode, Raising an Aging Parent: Guidelines for Families in the Second Half of Life . In this episode, Eric and Dr. Ken Druck talk about caring for an aging parent, finding meaning after great loss, helping ourselves receive the love t...
Oct 13, 2020•50 min•Ep 357•Transcript available on Metacast Julia Cameron is an American teacher, author, artist, poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, and much more. She is best known for her book, “ The Artist’s Way . “ In this episode, in addition to discussing her book, “ The Artist’s Way ,” Eric and Julia talk about finding your creativity and her famous practice known as “Morning Pages.” But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive content right in your podcast player ...
Oct 06, 2020•45 min•Ep 356•Transcript available on Metacast James Kingsland is a science and medical journalist with 25 years of experience working for publications such as New Scientist, Nature, and, most recently, The Guardian. On his own blog, Plastic Brain , he writes about neuroscience and Buddhist psychology. In this episode, Eric and James Kingsland discuss his book, Am I Dreaming: The Science of Altered States from Psychedelics to Virtual Reality and Beyond. But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue th...
Sep 29, 2020•44 min•Ep 355•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Judith Grisel is a professor of Psychology at Bucknell University. Judith is a behavioral neuroscientist with a particular interest in addiction. Her work includes trying to determine what is different about people who develop drug addictions before they ever try a drug. In this episode, Judith and Eric discuss her book, “ Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction ” where she shares her personal experience of overcoming addiction as well as he...
Sep 22, 2020•45 min•Ep 354•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Warner is an ordained Zen teacher and the author of many books, including There is No God and He is Always With You , Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate , and Hardcore Zen , Brad is the creator of the “Hardcore Zen” blog and YouTube Channel and is also a punk rock bass player in the band, Zero Defex. He has published work in Buddhist magazines Shambala Sun, Buddha Dharma, and Tricycle as well as rock magazines such as Alternative Press, Maximum Rock and Rol...
Sep 15, 2020•48 min•Ep 353•Transcript available on Metacast Kelly Wilson, Ph.D., is a Professor of psychology at the University at Mississippi. He is Past President of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, and winner of the University of Mississipi’s prestigious Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Wilson is one of the co-developers of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has written several books, including Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety. In this episode, Kelly...
Sep 08, 2020•49 min•Ep 352•Transcript available on Metacast Spring Washam is a well-known meditation and dharma teacher based in Oakland, California. She is a founding member and core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center located in downtown Oakland. She is the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys an organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom. In addition to being a teacher, she is also a healer, facilitator, spiritual activist, and writer. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based healing practices i...
Sep 01, 2020•52 min•Ep 351•Transcript available on Metacast Ibram X. Kendi is an American author, historian, and scholar of race and discriminatory policy in America. He is the Director for the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University and he received the National Book Award for Non-Fiction for his book, Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History Of Racist Ideas In America . In this episode, Ibram X. Kendi and Eric talk about his recent book, How To Be An Antiracist . But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite ov...
Aug 29, 2020•33 min•Ep 350•Transcript available on Metacast Sasha Sagan is a writer who has also worked as a television producer, filmmaker, editor, and speaker. Sasha’s writing has appeared in New York Magazine, O Magazine, Literary Hub, and others. Her latest book is called, For Small Creatures Such As We: Rituals For Finding Meaning In Our Unlikely World. In this episode, Sasha Sagan and Eric talk about bringing a sense of sacredness to a scientific world, maintaining our awe and wonder, and the role and importance of ritual in our lives. But wa...
Aug 25, 2020•50 min•Ep 349•Transcript available on Metacast Albert Flynn DeSilver is an American poet, memoirist, novelist, speaker, and workshop leader. He is the author of several books of poems, a memoir titled “Beamish Boy (I am not my story): A Memory of Recovery and Awakening”, and the book discussed in this episode: Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer and Living an Awakened Life In this episode, Albert Flynn DeSilver and Eric talk about using writing, poetry, and contemplative prac...
Aug 18, 2020•39 min•Ep 348•Transcript available on Metacast Josh Johnson is a comedian and an Emmy-nominated writer. He is currently a writer on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and a former writer and performer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Josh was named New York’s Funniest Comic at the New York Comey Festival in 2018. In this episode, Josh Johnson and Eric talk about comedy and how humor can facilitate healing, understanding, and our connection with one another. But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continu...
Aug 11, 2020•52 min•Ep 347•Transcript available on Metacast Susan David is a psychologist on faculty at Harvard Medical School. She’s also the co-founder and co-director of The Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital and is CEO of Evidence-Based Psychology. Along with speaking and consulting, Susan is also the author of Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life . In this episode, Susan David and Eric examine how we can experience, interpret, talk about, and relate to our emotions so that we live a life that is mor...
Aug 04, 2020•41 min•Ep 346•Transcript available on Metacast A. H. Almaas is the pen name of A. Hameed Ali. He is the founder of the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization which is a contemporary teaching that developed within the context of both ancient spiritual teachings and modern depth psychology theories. He has authored eighteen books about spiritual realization, including the Diamond Heart series, The Pearl Beyond Price , The Void, The Alchemy of Freedom , and his newest book, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence...
Jul 28, 2020•42 min•Ep 345•Transcript available on Metacast Sarah Blondin is a writer and videographer from British Columbia, Canada. She’s also the creator and host of the well-known podcast “live awake “. In this episode, Sarah and Eric discuss her book, “ Heart Minded, How to Hold Yourself and Others in Love” , where she shares how we can learn to train our minds to listen and follow our hearts. But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive conten...
Jul 21, 2020•44 min•Ep 344•Transcript available on Metacast Spiritual Habits Group Program – Find Solid Ground In Shaky Times: Join Eric in this virtual, live group program to learn powerful Spiritual Habits to help you access your own deep wisdom and calm steadiness – even when the world feels upside down. Click here to learn more and sign up. Enrollment ends on Sunday, July 19th, 2020 In this mini-episode, Eric discusses the importance of having a spiritual practice so that you can have a strong foundation from whic...
Jul 16, 2020•13 min•Ep 343•Transcript available on Metacast Justin Michael Williams is an author, a top 20 recording artist, and a transformational speaker who is using music and meditation to wake up the world. With over a decade of teaching experience, Justin has become a pioneering voice of color for the new healing movement. Between his podcast, keynotes, and motivational online platforms, Justin’s teachings have now spread to more than 40 countries around the globe. His new book is, Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us . In this ep...
Jul 14, 2020•49 min•Ep 343•Transcript available on Metacast 
