

The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose
Eric Zimmer
Build resilience. Cultivate self-compassion. Live with purpose. The One You Feed brings conversations with leading thinkers — James Clear, Susan Cain, Tara Brach, and more — to help you navigate life’s challenges and feed your good wolf. No perfection, just direction, insight, and the small, consistent actions that make a meaningful life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 31, 2020 • 52min
Adreanna Limbach on Befriending our Difficult Feelings
Adreanna Limbach is a head-teacher at MNDFL Meditation Studios in New York City. Adreanna’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Women’s Health, Refinery 29, and Yoga Journal. Her new book is, Tea and Cake with Demons: A Buddhist Guide to Feeling Worthy. In this episode, Adreanna and Eric talk about how to be more skillful in the ways in which we relate to our “demons” – in other words, how we can go about befriending difficult feelings. You can find all of the most up to date crisis help & support resources that Eric is making available through The One You Feed by going to www.oneyoufeed.net/helpThe wisdom and practice of self-compassion is a foundational principle that Eric teaches and helps his private clients learn to apply through the 1-on-1 Spiritual Habits Program. To learn more about this program, click here.Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Adreanna Limbach and I discuss Befriending our Difficult Feelings and…
Her book, Tea and Cake with Demons: A Buddhist Guide to Feeling Worthy
How difficult it was for her to write her book
How hard it is to create anything
The value of tenacity
The story her book is based on
How our demons, or difficult feelings, can be very personal but they all look a lot alike
The unskillful ways that we deal with our difficult feelings
Asking our demons “what do you have to teach me?”
How questions open things while answers shut them down
Identifying your “exit” when you’re feeling uncomfortable in your own skin
The 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism
Adreanna Limbach Links:adreannalimbach.comFacebookInstagramSeed: Scientifically validated, next-generation probiotics. Their mission: to bring much-needed precision, efficacy, and education to the global probiotics market. Go to www.seed.com/wolf or use promo code WOLF for 15% off your first month of The Daily Symbiotic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 27, 2020 • 50min
Special Episode: How to Work with Anger
So many of us are feeling angry for a myriad of reasons amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. To help us better understand and work with our anger, Eric reached out to several previous guests of the show to ask them if they would be willing to talk with him for a special edition of The One You Feed Podcast about anger. They all generously agreed at a moment’s notice and this episode featuring 4 “mini-interviews” is the result. These are all new conversations with previous guests, Rick Hanson, Hilary Jacobs Hendel, Ruth King, and David Richo.You can find all of the most up to date crisis help & support resources that Eric is making available through The One You Feed by going to www.oneyoufeed.net/helpIn This Episode, We discuss How to Work with Anger and…
That anger is a natural and normal response
Utilizing anger rather than letting anger utilize us
How anger can feel good in the moment but it corrodes over time
Finding peace when confronted with the truth of uncertainty
Mindfully noticing and naming our anger
Anger being triggered by perceived danger and it readies us for a fight
The danger of blocking our anger
That we feel anger as energy that wants to get out
Using fantasy to release the energy of anger
When calm, making a list of “state-changers” for yourself
Noticing our coping strategies in the face of things we can’t control
The critical choice of what to do with the energy of anger
Being informed by our anger instead of reacting out of it
Channeling the energy in constructive ways rather than damaging ways
Getting curious about what the anger is trying to tell us – rather than focusing on what it’s saying about other people
Getting fiercely clear about rather than ablaze in the fire of our anger
When we’re in the anger, we lose touch with how it’s impacting our bodies
Setting the intention of doing no harm
That fear is often underneath anger
Not acting out of anger because it can be abusive
Links to Other Episodes:Rick HansonHilary Jacobs HendelRuth KingDavid RichoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 24, 2020 • 1h 16min
Special Episode: Crisis Strategies for Mental and Emotional Health
You can find all of the most up to date crisis help & support resources that Eric is making available through The One You Feed by going to www.oneyoufeed.net/helpAs the COVID-19 pandemic intensified earlier this week, Eric reached out to several previous guests of the show to ask them if they would be willing to talk with him for two special edition episodes of The One You Feed Podcast. They all generously agreed at a moment’s notice and this episode is the second of those two episodes. These mini-interviews are with 6 leaders in the realms of mental health and spirituality. Eric talks with each of them about how to deal with difficult thoughts and offers practical strategies for emotional health during these challenging times. These are all new conversations with previous guests, Parker Palmer, Mirabai Starr, Lewis Howes, Steven C. Hayes, Scott Stabile, and Sharon Salzberg.In This Special Episode, We discuss Strategies for Emotional Health and…
Turning our attention to those who are vulnerable and need our help
The connection between anxiety and uncertainty
Accepting the truth that there are many things we cannot control
Being attentive to what we can control
How reflecting on and learning from suffering can be therapeutic
That dissolution is a good thing: You’ve lost an illusion and you’re that much closer to reality
How to abide in a space of not knowing
The paradox of actively helping the situation by doing less, staying put and slowing down
Reorienting to what we really need vs. our tendencies towards overconsumption
How to be mindful and Feed Our Good Wolf during a time of crisis
That constantly seeing crisis media alerts is like seeing a car crash every 2 minutes – we benefit from placing boundaries on how often we consume media coverage
Creating meaning amidst suffering
How psychological flexibility can help us move through difficulty
How to move through a crisis so that you come out of it with post-traumatic growth
Ways to work with your anger towards others during this crisis
Ways to work with your fear about this crisis
The helpful pillars of self-care that can really support us in crisis
Looking for ourself in others to bring empathy
What it means to connect to our hearts and souls
The importance of giving yourself grace and forgiveness during a crisis
How loving-kindness meditation can help us
How staying home can mimic the effects of a reflective retreat
A guided meditation from Sharon Salzberg
Calm App The #1 rated app for meditation. They have meditations, sleep stories, soothing music, and Calm masterclasses with may One You Feed Guests. Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription (a limited time offer!) by going to www.calm.com/wolf Peloton: Wondering if a Peloton bike is right for you? You can get a free 30 day home trial and find out. If you're looking for a new way to get your cardio in, the Peloton bike is a great solution. Eric decided to buy one after his 30-day free trial. Visit onepeloton.com Laurel Springs: An accredited online private school for students K-12. Personalize the learning program and learning schedule for your unique child with Laurel Springs' diverse and enriched curriculum. Register your child at www.laurelsprings.com/wolf and receive a waived registration fee.Links to Other Episodes:Parker J. PalmerMirabai StarrLewis HowesSteven C. HayesScott StabileSharon SalzbergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 20, 2020 • 57min
Special Episode: How to Work From Home
As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified earlier this week, Eric reached out to several previous guests of the show to ask them if they would be willing to talk with him for a special edition of The One You Feed Podcast. They all generously agreed at a moment’s notice and this episode is the result. These mini-interviews are with 4 experts on the subject of human behavior and Eric talks with each of them about how we might go about structuring our time, environment and mindset on living and working from home. These are all new conversations with previous guests, David Kadavy Charlie Gilkey, Chris Bailey, and Liz FosslienYou can find all of the most up to date crisis help & support resources that Eric is making available through The One You Feed by going to www.oneyoufeed.net/helpIn This Episode, We discuss…
How to set boundaries for yourself in your time, space, and mind
The Pomodoro Method
Ways to divide your physical space for work
Setting up mental boundaries to get into and out of a work mindset
Misdiagnosing distractions when they’re actually challenges of competing priorities
Pre-work, lunchtime, and post-work routines
Making your environment work for you
That your environment matters more than your willpower over the long term
How to be productive while in crisis mode
Replacing your commute-to-work time with self-care activities
Best practices for consuming the news while working from home
How it’s ok to feel feelings during this difficult time
Best practices for managing people
Deciding the next day’s priorities at the end of the previous day
Not letting praise be something that gets lost while working virtually
Emotionally proof-reading your messages before sending
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 17, 2020 • 45min
Kristin Neff on Self Compassion
Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Educational Psychology. With her partner Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically-supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion that is taught by thousands of teachers worldwide. She co-authored The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook as well as the book, Teaching the Mindful Self Compassion Program: A Guide For Professionals. In this episode, Kristin and Eric dive into the topic of self-compassion and discuss what it is and isn’t. Kristin also shares how to practice self compassion as well as leads listerns through a self-compassion practice. The wisdom and practice of self-compassion is a foundational principle that Eric teaches and helps his private clients learn to apply through the 1-on-1 Spiritual Habits Program. To learn more about this program, click here.Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Kristin Neff and I discuss Self Compassion and…
Her book, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
That what we practice grows stronger
The science of contemplative practice
What self-compassion is
Treating yourself with the same kindness you’d show to a dear friend
Starting with mindfulness
The connectedness of compassion
The fact that we suffer unites us as human beings
Quintessential question, “What do I need?”
Myths of self-compassion and how it is a powerful antidote to shame
The Inner Ally vs. Inner Enemy
Constructive self-criticism
How to practice and the physiology of self compassion.
The self-compassion break
Why and how self-criticism harms us
Kristin Neff Links:selfcompassion.orgTwitterFacebookDaily Harvest delivers delicious organic, carefully sourced, and chef-created fruit and veggie smoothies, soups, overnight oats, bowls and more. To get $25 off your first box, go to www.dailyharvest.com and enter promo code FEEDSimpliSafe: Get comprehensive protection for your entire home with security cameras, alarms, sensors as well as fire, water, and carbon monoxide alerts. Visit simplisafe.com/wolf for free shipping and a 60-day risk-free trial.If you enjoyed this conversation with Kristin Neff, you might also enjoy these other episodes:Kristin Neff (2015)Guy WinchElisha GoldsteinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 15, 2020 • 17min
Mini Episode: Fear: How to Cope in Uncertain Times
Eric talks about how to best deal with fear during these uncertain timesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 10, 2020 • 48min
Norman Fischer on Spiritual Growth through Imagination
Norman Fischer is a poet, author, Zen Buddhist teacher and priest. He’s a graduate of Iowa’s Writer’s Workshop and he’s been publishing poetry since 1979. He’s the author of 17 books of poetry, 6 books of prose on Zen and religion as well as numerous articles and essays. In this episode, Eric and Norman discuss his book, The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path.If you are interested in learning more about how to integrate and embody spiritual principles into the moments of your daily life, Eric teaches people how to do just that in his 1-on-1 Spiritual Habits Program. Click here to learn more.Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Norman Fischer and I discuss Spiritual Growth through Imagination and…
His book, The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path
Redefining imagination and discovering it’s prevalence and role in life
The role of imagination in spiritual paths
How we don’t see the world exactly as it is, but rather through filters
Loosening our grasp on what we think of as absolute reality
Constructing useful stories in our mind rather than living by our default stories
The essential ways in which imagination enriches the experience of our lives
When we realize we are making our lives for ourselves, we have the power to make it differently
The Bodhisattva: A Buddha in training
Compassion, Love and Service for the benefit of others
The Bodhisattva Path
The myth of separateness and the truth of interconnection and love
That holding two (seemingly contradictory) ideas in our mind at one time offers us depth perception
How ideals can inspire us rather than put pressure on us
The disease of perfectionism
How to engage in “Joyful Effort” when you don’t feel very joyful and don’t have much effort to spare
Patience: Just keep going and be of benefit to others
Turning toward what’s arising: facing it, embracing it, breathing into it and going forward with it
The problematic nature of favoring one’s own suffering over the suffering of others
Norman Fischer Links:normanfischer.orgPoems by Norman FischerEssays by Norman FischerBest Fiends: Engage your brain and play a game of puzzles with Best Fiends. Download for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Blinkist: Do you have an ever-growing list of books to read? Blinkist can help! With thousands of non-fiction books distilled down to their most salient points that you can consume in 15 minutes or less (audio available too!) go to www.blinkist.com/wolf for a 7-day free trial and then save 25% off your new subscription if you decide to sign up!Talkspace: the online therapy company that lets you connect with a licensed therapist from anywhere at any time. Therapy on demand. Non-judgemental, practical help when you need it at a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy. Visit www.talkspace.com and enter Promo Code: WOLF to get $100 off your first month.If you enjoyed this conversation with Norman Fischer on Spiritual Growth through Imagination, you might also enjoy these other episodes:Shinzen YoungRobert WrightBenjamin ShalvaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 3, 2020 • 48min
Kamla Kapur on Transformative Powers in Life
Kamla Kapur is an award winning author, poet and playwright. She was born and raised in India and studied in the United States. Kamla now divides her time between living in the remote Indian Himalayas and in San Diego, California with her husband. She holds a Master’s Degree in Literature from Kent State University in Ohio and she studied Creative Writing at the University of Iowa. Kamla was on the faculty of Grossmont College in San Diego for 18 years and her stories, poems, and plays have been published in many prestigious Indian and American journals. In this episode, she and Eric use her new book, Rumi: Tales of the Spirit: A Journey to Healing the Heart, as a jumping off point to discuss the transformative powers we experience through various life experiences.If you are interested in learning more about how to integrate and embody spiritual principles into the moments of your daily life, Eric teaches people how to do just that in his 1-on-1 Spiritual Habits Program. Click here to learn more.Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Kamla Kapur and I discuss Transformative Powers in Life and…
Her book, Rumi: Tales of the Spirit: A Journey to Healing the Heart
The deep wound to Rumi’s heart that transformed him and brought forth his treasured body of work that we now know and love
How suffering can be our greatest tutor and guide in life
The idea of expansion and contraction in our lives
That when your heart breaks, it breaks open
How suffering can open us up to being more aware and connected to our higher selves
That those who transform as a result of their suffering are open to a different way of thinking as a result of the difficult things that happen to them
The transformative powers of hope, joy, and love
Rumi’s stories of characters embracing suffering
How all suffering has the power to awaken us
The transformative power of suffering
The transformative power of acceptance
How Rumi says, “When the candle of your youth dims, you have to light the candle of the spirit.”
Actively ascending to our aging
The awe and wonder of existence and the mystery of life that we as humans can perceive
Kamla Kapur Links:kamlakkapur.comTwitterInstagramFacebookIf you enjoyed this conversation with Kamla Kapur on Transformative Powers in Life, you might also enjoy these other episodes:Stephen MitchellMary O’MalleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Feb 25, 2020 • 56min
Ryan Oelke on Awakening in Life
Ryan Oelke is the co-founder of Buddhist Geeks and is the founder of Awakening In Life. Ryan is a meditation teacher with an MS.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and has 18 years of experience in meditation. He is also a certified teacher in Judith Blackstone’s Realization Process. In this episode, Ryan and Eric discuss using Radical Curiosity and embodying our experiences to Awaken In Life.If you are interested in learning more about how to integrate and embody spiritual principles into the moments of your daily life, Eric teaches people how to do just that in his 1-on-1 Spiritual Habits Program. Click here to learn more.Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Ryan Oelke and I discuss Awakening in Life and…
Practicing Radical Curiosity
Coming home to yourself as you are in this moment
Being radically open to what is happening to fully see it
How nothing collapses consciousness faster than judgment
How being curious implies being engaged with the subject matter
Awakening in Life
Life as the opportunity to awaken
Ways to integrate spiritual principles into the moments of our life
Cultivating capacity through formal practice
How to use the little moments that might otherwise be “thrown away” during the day
That focusing on embodying our experience enables it to become more deeply our own
How awakening in life is a responsive, integral path
A prescriptive path/model vs. a responsive path/model
Having a deep trust in your own experience
Metta Dharma
That the entire point of waking up in life could be to have an appropriate response.
Ryan Oelke Links:ryanoelke.comTwitterInstagramFacebookPeloton: Wondering if a Peloton bike is right for you? You can get a free 30 day home trial and find out. If you’re looking for a new way to get your cardio in, the Peloton bike is a great solution. Eric decided to buy one after his 30-day free trial. Visit onepeloton.com and enter Promo code “WOLF” to get $100 off of accessories with the purchase of a bike, and a free 30 day home trial.Best Fiends: Engage your brain and play a game of puzzles with Best Fiends. Download for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Calm App The #1 rated app for meditation. They have meditations, sleep stories, soothing music, and Calm masterclasses with may One You Feed Guests. Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription (a limited time offer!) by going to www.calm.com/wolf If you enjoyed this conversation with Ryan Oelke on Awakening in Life, you might also enjoy these other episodes:Judith BlackstoneMary O’MalleyAmoda MaaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Feb 18, 2020 • 44min
Stephen Mitchell on the Questioning Mind
Stephen Mitchell is an author and translator who has dedicated much of his life to Zen practice. Eric and Stephen have an in depth discussion about the questioning mind as well as his work of translating many famous texts, including the Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, and Rilke’s “Letters To a Young Poet”. Stephen has also co-authored many books with his wife, Byron Katie, who is a former guest on the show. Need help with completing your goals in 2020? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.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 feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Stephen Mitchell and I Discuss the Questioning Mind and…
The parable: how reality cannot be broken into good or bad, it’s just what is.
When authentic action that is true to yourself becomes second nature, it’s an expression of your own reality.
His wife Katie’s words, “when we believe our thoughts, we suffer; when we question our thoughts, we don’t.”
Suffering can end when we awaken to the truth
Distinguishing between pain, a physical phenomenon, and suffering, a mental phenomenon
Suffering often comes from being stuck in an imagined past or imagined future
His translation of the Heart Sutra that is about openness rather than emptiness
The “don’t know” or questioning mind and how it doesn’t get stuck in judgement
Being immersed in an intense formal Zen practice for 7 years
His Koan studies that helped him get to a state of stillness and learn to hold the questioning mind without any content.
Defining Koan studies as an existential problem meant to catapult the student into a space of questioning.
If you can rest in that space of not knowing, the answer will present itself to you.
The mind’s relationship with it’s contents
Difference between the mind and what it thinks.
We don’t suffer because of what happens to us, but rather how we think about what happens to us.
Self inquiry and asking yourself the question, “Is it true”?
How he learns the language of the text he’s translating.
His work of translating is more than just learning the meaning of words, but also the music of the words.
When translating text, his allegiance is to the spirit of the text and not just the literal meaning of the text.
Joseph and the Way of Forgiveness: A Biblical Tale Retold is discussed in the post show conversation.
Stephen Mitchell Links:stephenmitchellbooks.comFeals is premium CBD delivered to your doorstep that can help you manage stress, anxiety, pain, and sleeplessness. Feals CBD is food-grade and every batch is tested so you know you are getting truly premium grade product. Get 50% off your first order with free shipping by becoming a member at www.feals.com/wolf Daily Harvest delivers absolutely delicious organic, carefully sourced, chef-created fruit and veggie smoothies, soups, overnight oats, bowls and more. To get $25 off your first box go to www.dailyharvest.com and enter promo code FEEDIndeed: Millions of great candidates use Indeed every day to find their next opportunity. You can post a job in minutes and use screener questions to create your shortlist of qualified applicants fast. Skills tests for applicants are just one way Indeed helps you make smart hiring decisions quickly. Post your job today at www.indeed.com/wolf and get a free sponsored job upgrade on your first posting. If you enjoyed this conversation with Stephen Mitchell on the Questioning Mind, you might also enjoy these other episodes:Byron KatieLoch KellySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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