For episode 237, we are launching the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour. This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the launch of this monthly series is a conversation between Sharon and Jack Kornfield. Jack trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is...

For episode 236, Sharon is in conversation with Sameet Kumar, Ph.D. Sameet is the clinical psychologist for the Memorial Cancer Institute. Sameet specializes in working with cancer patients and their caregivers. He is the author of Grieving Mindfully, The Mindful Path Through Worry and Rumination. He is part of a new anthology, coming out in May of 2024 from New Harbinger Publications, How to Grieve What We’ve Lost. In this episode, Sharon and Sameet discuss:How Sameet came to grief...

For episode 235, Sharon speaks with Suneel Gupta. Suneel is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a global documentary series. He studies leaders around the world to discover and share simple, actionable habits that lift our performance, deepen our state of well-being, and guide us further into our dharma. His latest book, “Everyday Dharma: Eight Essential Practices for Finding Success and Joy in Everything You Do” was released in the...

For episode 234, Sharon speaks with author and podcast host, Dan Harris. Dan is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling memoir, 10% Happier, about a fidgety, skeptical news anchor who finds meditation. He’s also the host of the Ten Percent Happier podcast and the co-founder of the Ten Percent Happier meditation app. For 21 years, he worked at ABC News, where he anchored such shows as Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America. In this episode, Dan and Sharon...

For episode 233, Dr. Jenny Taitz returns to the Metta Hour. Jenny is a clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. Jenny 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...

For episode 232, Cecilia B. Loving returns to the Metta Hour. Cecilia is an award-winning speaker, belonging and inclusion thought leader, consultant and author, who serves as the Senior Vice President Head of DEI for PBS. Her work in restorative justice, storytelling, inclusive leadership, racial inclusion, mindfulness, and well-being helps redefine the importance of self-care and self-empowerment to create a positive and holistic environment for everyone. This is Cecilia’s second...

For episode 231 of the Metta Hour, Sharon Salzberg shares the journey of her spiritual life with the host of Meditative Story, Rohan Gunatillake. This episode was originally aired on Meditative Story, a podcast that combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with the immediate, science-backed benefits of mindfulness practice – all surrounded by breathtaking and cinematic music. You can find Meditative Story on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more! Rohan Gunatillake is a writer,...

For episode 230 of the Metta Hour, Sharon sits down with her longtime friend, teacher and author, Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. Roshi is a Buddhist teacher, the founder and head teacher of the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM, a social activist, author, and in her early years was an anthropologist. She is also a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. Some of her books include: The Human Encounter with Death (with Stanislav Grof) and her most recent, Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where...

For episode 229 of the Metta Hour, Sharon sits down with teacher, author, and CEO whisperer Jerry Colonna for his second appearance on the podcast to talk about his new book, Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong. Jerry is the CEO and co-founder of the executive coaching firm Reboot.io. A highly sought-after coach and speaker, he is also the author of Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up. For more than 20 years, he has used his experiences as a CEO, investor, journalist,...

For episode 228 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Mental Health Series. In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health by applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice. For this sixth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Dr. Richie J. Davidson, PhD. Richie is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Founder and...

For episode 227 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Mental Health Series. In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health by applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice. For this fifth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and meditation scholar-teacher, Joe Loizzo, MD, PhD. Joe is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and Columbia-trained Buddhist scholar...

For episode 226 of the Metta Hour, we’re bringing you an episode from the Ten Percent Happier Podcast in which Dan Harris interviews Sharon about her brand new book, “Finding Your Way.” You can get a copy of “Finding Your Way” in hardcover or ebook formats at our website. Dan Harris is a former ABC News anchor who, after reporting all over the world, experienced an on-air panic attack while hosting Good Morning America. Despite initial misgivings, he turned to meditation and changed his...

For episode 225 of the Metta Hour, Sharon welcomes New York Times bestselling author Katherine May. Click here to learn more about Sharon’s new book, Finding Your Way, available Oct 10th! Katherine May is an internationally bestselling author and podcaster. Her most recent book, “Enchantment: Awakening Awe in an Anxious Age” was an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. Her internationally bestselling hybrid memoir “Wintering” was adapted as BBC Radio 4’s Book of the...

For episode 224 of the Metta Hour, Sharon sits down with Susan Bauer-Wu to talk about her new book, A Future We Can Love: How We Can Reverse the Climate Crisis with the Power of Our Hearts & Minds. Susan is an organizational leader, clinical scientist, and mindfulness teacher whose lifework has been dedicated to alleviating suffering and fostering well-being through contemplative wisdom. Susan  is the president of the  Mind & Life Institute and deeply committed to the care of our...

For episode 223 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Mental Health Series. In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health by applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice. For this fourth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with neuroscientist, artist, and activist Dr. Sará King. Sará is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at the T. Denny Sanford Institute for Empathy and...

For episode 222 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are closing out the Real Life Series to celebrate Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Andrés Gonzalez, Ali, and Atman Smith, recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Andy, Ali, and Atman co-founded the Holistic Life Foundation, a non-profit organization bringing yoga, meditation, and breath-work to thousands of at-risk kids in Baltimore schools since 2001. Their work...

For episode 221 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series in celebration of Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” In this conversation, Sharon and Daisy Hernández speak about the emergence of equanimity on the spiritual path and the dawning of clarity. This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Daisy Hernández, recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first...

For episode 220 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series celebrating Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Mark Epstein, recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Real Life, the book that inspired this series, is now available from Flatiron Books in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more about the book or get a copy, you can visit Sharon’s website here. Mark Epstein is a...

For episode 219 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series celebrating Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/metta Joél Leon is a storyteller, performer, poet, musician, and author who proudly hails from The Bronx. He is an alumnus of the famed Creative Collective NYC Creative Class and has gone on to win The...

For episode 218 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series celebrating Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Valarie Kaur, recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Valarie Kaur is a renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, and best-selling author of  “See No Stranger.” In Fall 2022, President Biden honored Valarie at the White House in the...

For episode 217 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series celebrating Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Dr. Gabor Maté about states of contraction and how that relates to addiction. Recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Gabor Maté is a renowned speaker and bestselling author. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Gabor worked for over a decade in...

For episode 216 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing the Real Life Series celebrating Sharon’s new book by the same name, “Real Life.” In this conversation, Duncan and Sharon speak about states of contraction. How we get stuck there and how to find our way back to a place of openness and curiosity. This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Duncan Trussell, recorded for the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor....

For episode 215 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we are continuing a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” In this conversation, Courtney and Sharon speak about expansion and the challenges and rewards of working for the common good. This conversation between Sharon and Courtney E. Martin was pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit.  Courtney E. Martin is the author of four books, most recently, Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My...

For episode 214 of the Metta Hour, we continue our Mental Health Series with teacher and author George T. Mumford. In this series, Sharon is speaking with teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health, applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice. This multi-part series aires every other week in the coming months. In this episode, Sharon is joined by author and teacher George T. Mumford, a.k.a. The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer. George...