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–Madison and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought-after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health.

Join Richie’s upcoming course The Science of Flourishing: Well-Being Skills for Daily Life. Save 20% off the course using the coupon code METTA20.

In this episode, Sharon and Richie discuss:

• How Richie came to this path

• Meeting Daniel Goleman and Ram Dass

• How Danny Goleman brought Sharon to her first retreat

• The term “Mental Health”

• Innate Goodness

• Believing in Growth Mindset

• A vision of possibility for ourselves

• The role of systemic oppression in mental well-being

• Intergenerational Resilience

• Richie’s four pillars of well-being

• Personal mental hygiene

• “The road to Lhasa goes up and down” - Mingyur Rinpoche

• The value of community and teachers in mental health

• Richie driving Mingyur Rinpoche

• Contemplative Neuroscience

• The Science of Flourishing Course

• Richie’s new book project

• The conversation closes with a guided meditation led by Richie.

To learn more about Riche’s work or his different books, you can visit his website and check out the Center for Healthy Minds.

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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 books, including Rise Above, his forthcoming book set for release in 2025. Scott is also host of The Psychology Podcast— which has received over 30 million downloads.

In this conversation, Sharon and Scott speak about:

• Having growth motivation

• Shifting the narrative of anxiety

• Scott’s childhood experiences

• Curiosity versus grit

• How to shift out of fear

• Creating space around anxiety

• Welcoming our beautiful monsters

• Broadening the Window of Tolerance

• Experiencing a sense of bothness

• Scott’s new book, Rise Above

• Victim versus empowerment mindset

• Learned Hopefulness

• Finding the light within

• Pros and cons of sensitivity

• The blessings of gratitude and awe

The episode closes with Scott leading a Tonglen practice.

You can learn more about Scott’s work right here and check out his new book, Rise Above, right here.

Check out the first two episodes in the Anxiety Podcast Series with Dr. Jud Brewer right here and Dr. Jenny Taitz right here.

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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 the author of How to Be Single and Happy and End Emotional Eating. Her new book, Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes, is now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Join Sharon for a free live conversation and interactive Q&A exploring the power of real connection—with ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Throughout the discussion, Sharon, Jackie Dobrinska, and Raghu Markus will weave in the wisdom of Ram Dass, reflecting on how intimacy can be a profound path to awakening. Join this free live call on April 7th: Click Here To Learn More

In this episode, Sharon and Jenny discuss:

• Jenny’s approach to anxiety
• Emotions are contagious
• The superpower of emotional regulation
• Cultivating an inner life
• Three-point check-in
• How to break-up with overthinking
• Getting grounding
• Cognitive diffusion
• Naming your inner critic
• Sitting with uncertainty
• Building a hope kit
• Box-breathing
• Lovingkindness
• Doing good deeds
• Examining assumptions
• Surfing emotional urges

Sharon closes with a hypothetical situation about anxiety which Jenny advises on. You can learn more about Jenny’s work and get a copy of her book, Stress Resets, on her website.

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