Untangle

Dan Harris, former ABC News anchor and author of 10% Happier, talks candidly about anxiety, on-air panic, and turning to secular meditation. He shares how mindfulness helped after war reporting, why retreats can be transformative, and practical tips for skeptical beginners. The conversation mixes humor, humility, and useful starting advice for anyone curious about meditation.

Amy Leneker, author and leadership coach who created the Unstressing Method, shares her burnout wake-up call and the simple See, Sort, Solve framework. She explains why common workplace fixes can backfire and how to sort stress into actionable types. Conversation highlights making space for joy, authentic connection over forced fun, and practical choices to reduce overwhelm and build resilience.

Tobias Esch, a primary care physician and researcher in the neurobiology of happiness and integrative mind-body medicine, shares his U-curve model of happiness. He explains three brain-based types of happiness, links life stages to these states, and discusses resilience after trauma. Practical practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and movement for cultivating lasting contentment are highlighted.

James Kimmel Jr., former litigator turned Yale psychiatry researcher and author, studies revenge as a brain-driven, addictive force. He recounts a personal turning point, explains how grievance lights up pain and reward circuits, and explores why self-control collapses into violence. He also outlines biological paths to forgiveness and practical tools for breaking the revenge cycle.

Dr. Shauna Shapiro, clinical psychologist and mindfulness researcher, shares her path from crisis to two decades studying mindfulness and neuroplasticity. She explains how intention, attention, and attitude reshape the brain. Short practices like a morning self-compassion routine, the mindful pause, and the 5% principle for gradual change are highlighted.

Today’s Encore episode is with Judson Brewer, a Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist and Author who specializes in the field of mindfulness and addiction. He is widely recognized for his work on understanding the mechanisms of craving and developing effective strategies to overcome addictive behaviors. One of his notable contributions is his research on the "Hunger Habit." He discussed this in his book, The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We're Not Hungry and How to Stop.The Hunger Habit is a concept that explores the parallels between overeating and other forms of addiction. Brewer's research suggests that the root cause of many addictive behaviors, including overeating, lies in the craving and reward-based learning processes of the brain.Brewer's approach to breaking the Hunger Habit revolves around mindfulness. He believes that by bringing mindful awareness to our eating behaviors, we can develop a deeper understanding of our cravings and make more conscious choices. Mindfulness allows us to observe our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment, enabling us to break the automatic and unconscious patterns of overeating.Overall, Judson Brewer is known for bridging the fields of mindfulness, neuroscience, and addiction, offering a unique perspective on breaking free from addictive patterns and fostering behavioral change through these mindfulness-based interventions.Want more from Judson? Go to drjud.com.Get the EatRightNow app at the App Store. Unlock 30 days of Meditation Studio for free at choosemuse.com/meditationstudio.Transform your brain's potential with 15% of Muse. Use code UNTANGLE15 at checkout or visit choosemuse.com/UNTANGLE15. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this session, Bart Van Malik, a meditation teacher focused on rest and relaxation, shares his soothing insights. He guides listeners through creating an inviting sleep environment, emphasizing the importance of setting intentions for ease and restoration. Bart leads a gentle body scan, promoting awareness from feet to face while releasing tension. He encourages mindfulness with breath observation, allowing sensations and thoughts to flow freely. This calming journey aims to help you surrender into restful sleep effortlessly.

Mark Coleman, mindfulness teacher and author who brings Buddhist-derived practices into everyday life. He explores how mindfulness and compassion quiet the inner critic. Short practices and sensory grounding help break rumination. He explains disidentifying from thoughts, cultivating a wise mind, and building kindness for vulnerability.

Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist, neuroscientist and Johns Hopkins adjunct professor, explains neuroplasticity and how the brain can rewire and grow at any age. He explores the “soup of abnormalities” behind Alzheimer’s, the five pillars of brain health, diet and supplements, and practical strategies to slow cognitive decline. Short, actionable science with a hopeful take on aging.

Kristin Neff, pioneer researcher and author on self-compassion, shares why self-kindness matters. She contrasts fragile self-esteem with steady self-compassion. She explains how self-criticism arises, offers practical practices like mindful phrases and hand-on-heart, and describes benefits for relationships, caregivers, and coping with hardship.