Best Thoughtfully Mindless Podcasts (2025)

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Brian Jolley & Artie: The Empathy Dilemma – Seeing Without Agreeing 1:56:42

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14d ago1:56:42

1:56:42

What happens when two people with shared values—but very different lenses—sit down for a deeply human conversation? In this episode, Artie and Brian explore the complexities of belief, emotional honesty, and the challenge of staying connected in a divided world. They navigate how we interpret each other’s words, how frameworks can clarify or distor…

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The Myth of Productivity 28:30

2h ago28:30

28:30

🚫 You’ve been told more = better. More hours. More effort. More output. But here’s the truth: Your brain isn’t built for constant productivity. It’s built for rhythm. Recovery. Thoughtful flow. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the neuroscience behind why “pushing through” is breaking you down—and how to finally reclaim clarity, energy…

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Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, "The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism" (Jewish Publication Society. 2024) 42:41

17h ago42:41

42:41

The Triumph of Life is Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era. Greenberg describes Judaism’s utopian vision of a world created by a God who loves life, who invites hu…

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Is It Possible To Improve Your Personality? The Science Says Yes. Here’s How To Do It. | Olga Khazan 1:07:30

9h ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Plus other intriguing questions answered such as: should you change your personality? What exactly is a personality anyway? Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic. Her new book is called Me, But Better. In this episode we talk about: The definition of personality The so-called big 5 aspects of personality and Olga’s attempts to work on them…

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An Antidote to Overwhelm and Anger | Father Gregory Boyle 1:01:04

2d ago1:01:04

1:01:04

The attitude that can help you survive the Trump era. Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, The Whole Language, and most recently, Cheri…

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Ep44 The Victim Trap: Why You're Stuck and How to Break Free 24:19

3d ago24:19

24:19

Ever notice how certain people just... drain you? The ones who always have a crisis. Always need rescuing. Always have someone else to blame for their problems. And somehow, you keep attracting them. Into your business. Your relationships. Even your family dynamics. In this raw and revealing episode, transformation expert Patricia Lindner gets brut…

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Am I Meditating Correctly? Am I Doing the Right Kind? | FAQ With Teacher-Of-The-Month Dawn Mauricio 18:55

3d ago18:55

18:55

A lot of us have questions about our meditation practice, but we may not have anybody to ask. Am I doing it right? Which kind of meditation should I be doing? How do I choose? Today, our Teacher of the Month Dawn Mauricio breaks down some of those questions with some actionable suggestions you can take into your next meditation session. Join Dan’s …

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How to Catch Unhelpful Thoughts Before They Take Over with Bhikkhu Bodhi | Staff Picks 21:38

5d ago21:38

21:38

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from Buddhist scholar and teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi, as chosen by Tara Anderson, one of our podcast producers. We’re getting a little meta today, as Dan and his guest talk about paying attention to what your own mind is doing. Full Episode: …

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Reclaiming Your Identity After Narcissistic Abuse 38:10

7d ago38:10

38:10

If you've ever felt trapped, confused, or emotionally drained by someone who constantly makes everything about them—this episode is for you. I'm joined by world-renowned narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula to explore the reality of narcissistic relationships and how to recover from their impact. We talk about: What narcissism really is (and isn’…

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A Buddhist Compass To Direct You Toward Happiness | Beth Upton 1:01:29

8d ago1:01:29

1:01:29

The happiness recipe from ancient Buddhist psychology. Beth Upton has been teaching meditation since 2014. Before that she spent ten years as a Buddhist nun, five of them in Burma under the guidance of Pa Auk Sayadaw. She currently leads the Sanditthika Meditation Community. In this episode we talk about: The Buddhist Abhidhamma, which Beth calls “…

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Your Brain Is Suggestible. Here’s How To Turn That to Your Advantage. | Dr. Amir Raz 1:12:03

10d ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Harness the power of suggestion for well-being, pain management, and mental health. Dr. Amir Raz is a world-renowned expert on the science of suggestion with recent positions as Canada Research Chair, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Psychology at McGill University, and as Founding Director of The Institute for Interdiscipli…

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David S. Wall, "Cybercrime: The Transformation of Crime in the Information Age" (Polity, 2024) 29:47

11d ago29:47

29:47

How has the digital revolution transformed criminal opportunities and behaviour? What is different about cybercrime compared with traditional criminal activity? What impact might cybercrime have on public security? In this updated edition of his authoritative and field-defining text, cybercrime expert David Wall carefully examines these and other i…

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A Circuit Breaker for Stress | Bonus Meditation with Dawn Mauricio 11:07

11d ago11:07

11:07

All this month, we’re sharing custom guided meditations from our teacher of the month, Dawn Mauricio, exclusively available at DanHarris.com. Like any good drug dealer, the first taste is free – so today, we’re giving you a sample of what you can expect for the rest of the month. This meditation can be helpful when you’re spiraling and need to inte…

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#387 - Freddie New: Private Equity Is A Curse 1:10:30

12d ago1:10:30

1:10:30

What really happened to Britain’s economy? Why does it feel like everything’s getting more expensive, yet we’re getting less in return? In this episode, I sat down with Freddie New — a former private equity lawyer and now Chief Policy Officer at Bitcoin Policy UK — to break down some of the biggest questions about money, power, and the state of the…

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Rebecca Lemov, "The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion" (Norton, 2025) 37:42

13d ago37:42

37:42

Because brainwashing affects both the world and our observation of the world, we often don’t recognize it while it’s happening—unless we know where to look. As Rebecca Lemov writes in The Instability of Truth, “Brainwashing erases itself.” What we call brainwashing is more common than we think; it is not so much what happens to other people as what…

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How To Stop Spinning Out With Bill Hader | Staff Picks 23:11

13d ago23:11

23:11

We’re bringing you some of our favorite gems from the archives, as chosen by our staff. This week, we’re hearing from comedian and actor Bill Hader, as chosen by our digital media manager, Hayden Broom. Hader was part of our “Non-Negotiables” series, and he told Dan, with some disappointment, that “the hippies were right.” Full Episode: Bill Hader …

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Your Brain Is Carrying Too Much 18:36

14d ago18:36

18:36

📱 You’re not just tired—you’re carrying too much. Before your feet even hit the floor, your brain has already absorbed more emotional input than it can process. From news to reels to distant crises, your nervous system is on high alert… even if nothing’s happening to you directly. 🧠 In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf reveals the neuroscience of inp…

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The Science Of Manifestation: Can This Stanford Neuroscientist Convince A Skeptical Dan To Give It A Shot? | Dr. James R. Doty 1:16:39

15d ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Six practical steps to harness the full power of your mind. Our guest today is James R. Doty, a neurosurgeon who has just written a whole book about the science of manifestation – although, as you’ll hear him admit, there’s very little ‘magic’ involved in his process. James R. Doty, M.D. is a Stanford neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, compassion resear…

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Ezra Klein On: Sane News Consumption; The Power of Meditation; The Future of the Species; And the Message of His Tattoo 1:15:54

17d ago1:15:54

1:15:54

On maintaining sanity in insane times. Ezra Klein is an opinion columnist and host of the award-winning Ezra Klein Show podcast at The New York Times. His latest book is Abundance, co-authored with Derek Thompson. He is also the author of Why We’re Polarized, an instant New York Times bestseller, named one of Barack Obama’s top books of 2022. He li…

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How Meditation Can Help You Handle Injured Feelings and Injured Muscles | Dawn Mauricio 24:38

18d ago24:38

24:38

Plus: How to build a meditation practice you keep coming back to. We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – we’re now offering guided meditations to accompany each full episode …

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Allison Williams On: Perfectionism, Defensiveness, and the Horror Movies We All Make in Our Minds 1:02:33

20d ago1:02:33

1:02:33

A scream-queen (and Dan’s old friend) talks control, insecurity, friendship, and parenthood. Allison Williams is an actress, producer, and singer best known for her breakout role on HBO’s award winning TV series GIRLS, the blockbuster film GET OUT, the science fiction horror film M3GAN, and now its sequel, M3GAN 2.0. In this episode we talk about: …

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How to Handle Betrayal 15:06

21d ago15:06

15:06

🧠 You trusted them. And they weaponized it. Betrayal isn’t just emotional. According to neuroscience, it affects your brain the same way physical pain does—and unless you process it, it keeps rewiring how you trust, relate, and show up. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf explains the psychoneurobiology of betrayal, what it does to your mind-brain-b…

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Buddhist Practices for Busyness, Overwhelm, and Burnout | Brother Chân Pháp Hữu 1:12:00

22d ago1:12:00

1:12:00

The Zen monk who burned out. How he fixed it. And how you can, too. Brother Chân Pháp Hữu began training at the age of 13 with the legendary Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh — who was an author, activist, and founder of the Plum Village tradition. Today Brother Pháp Hữu is the abbot of Plum Village’s Upper Hamlet and the co-host of the Plum Village podca…

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Can a Psychic Medium Improve Your Life? Wrestling With the Balance Between Open-Mindedness and Skepticism 54:23

24d ago54:23

54:23

Why are many of Dan’s favorite meditation teachers consulting a clairvoyant? A special collaboration with Search Engine. Related Episodes: The Science of Training Your Attention | Dr. Amishi Jha The Art and Science of Compassion: Thupten Jinpa Compassion Is the Ultimate Tool for the Truly Ambitious | Paul Gilbert The Science Of Manifestation: Can T…

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The Antidote to Mindless Eating with Br. Chan Pháp Lưu | Get Fit Sanely Listener Picks 20:26

27d ago20:26

20:26

We asked listeners to tell us about some of their favorite episodes from our Get Fit Sanely series, and we’ll be bringing you some excerpts of those episodes on Fridays this month. Today, we’re hearing from listener Shannon who made a change in her eating routine after hearing our episode with Br. Chan Pháp Lưu from Plum Village. Related Episodes: …

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Mastering the Art of Dating 27:04

28d ago27:04

27:04

Dating today feels like emotional gymnastics — and no one knows that better than Talia, a dating expert and podcast host who went on 150 dates in one year. In this episode, I sit down with Talia to unpack what she learned, how she stayed grounded, and why modern dating can be so mentally exhausting. We talk about: The neuroscience of dating and att…

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#386 - John Perkins: Confessions Of An Economic Hitman 1:00:09

29d ago1:00:09

1:00:09

John Perkins is a former economist and author best known for his book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, where he claims to have helped the U.S. government and corporations manipulate developing countries through debt. The book documents Perkins’ eye-opening experiences as an economist embroiled in geopolitics, covert operations, and the far-reach…

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The Science Of Motivation: How To Make Habits That Actually Stick | T. Morgan Dixon and Dr. Gary Bennett 1:02:14

29d ago1:02:14

1:02:14

How to overcome inertia and research-backed plans that actually work. Dr. Gary G. Bennett is Dean of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University. He is also a professor of psychology & neuroscience, global health, medicine, and nursing, and is the founding director of the Duke Digital Health Science Center. T. Morgan Dixon is the foun…

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How Modern Life Makes You Sick – And How To Fix It | Jeff Krasno 1:28:51

1M ago1:28:51

1:28:51

You’re getting the wrong kind of stress. Here’s how to change that. Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being, and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast and his new book is called Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things. I…

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How To Learn From Your Ancestors | Spring Washam 1:15:48

1M ago1:15:48

1:15:48

Our guest argues that looking back on those who came before us can help us understand who we are and why we do the things we do. Plus, a very special request from Dan. Spring Washam is a well-known teacher, author, and visionary leader based in Oakland, California. She is the author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage and Wisdom in Any Mom…

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If You Care About Fitness, You Should Work On Your Mobility | Get Fit Sanely Listener Picks: Kelly and Juliet Starrett 15:34

1M ago15:34

15:34

We asked listeners to tell us about some of their favorite episodes from our Get Fit Sanely series, and we’ll be bringing you some excerpts of those episodes on Fridays this month. Today, we’re hearing from listener Abby, who experienced a game-changing moment in our episode on mobility with Kelly and Juliet Starrett. Paid subscribers of DanHarris.…

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Lura Forcum: Can Politics Be Human Again? Branding, Emotion, and the Center Path 1:47:33

1M ago1:47:33

1:47:33

What if political messaging didn’t have to be angry, divisive, or manipulative? In this episode, brand strategist and emotional intelligence advocate Lura Forcum joins Artie to explore what it means to communicate honestly in an era of polarization. From her work in marketing and comedy to her ideas about building an “Independent Center,” Lura make…

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When It’s Time to Quit: The Neuroscience of Letting Go and Moving On 26:43

1M ago26:43

26:43

😩 Feeling stuck in something that used to work—but now just drains you? This episode is for the moment you realize: “I can’t keep doing this.” Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the brain science behind why it’s so hard to let go—and how to finally move on with clarity, intention, and real psychological tools. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, a routi…

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On Muscle and Mind: How Strength Training Changes Your Brain, Improves Your Mental Health, and Lengthens Your Life | Bonnie Tsui 1:10:56

1M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

What muscles are for, how to get them, and why it’s never too late to start building them. Bonnie Tsui is a longtime contributor to The New York Times and the bestselling author of Why We Swim, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and a Time magazine and NPR Best Book of the Year. Her work has been recognized and supported by Harvard Univer…

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#385 - Michael Every: Globalisation Is Dead — What Comes Next? 57:37

1M ago57:37

57:37

PRE-ORDER MY GAMESTOP BOOK - https://wen-moon.com In this episode of Chatter, I sat down with Micheal Every, global strategist at Rabobank Singapore, to talk about the end of globalisation, why the West is imploding from within, and how a new kind of economic warfare is replacing free trade. We got deep into the geopolitics of the Middle East, Ukra…

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The Science of Gut Health | Dr. Robynne Chutkan 1:17:20

1M ago1:17:20

1:17:20

Why it matters for mental health; how to make improvements without succumbing to snake oil; and why you should be looking at your poop. Dr. Robynne Chutkan is a board certified gastroenterologist and the author of the four books Gutbliss, The Microbiome Solution, The Bloat Cure, and The Anti-Viral Gut. She’s also the host of The Gutbliss Podcast. P…

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#384 - Dr Toghrul Aliyev: GameStop’s Next Chapter: $6 Billion and a Bitcoin Treasury 47:33

1M ago47:33

47:33

ORDER MY GAMESTOP BOOK - ⁠https://wen-moon.com⁠ In this episode, Dr. Aliyev shares his unexpected journey from a university student with little investing experience to becoming a prominent research analyst, and how a viral Reddit post about cryptocurrency launched his career in finance writing. The conversation covers the evolution of GameStop afte…

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Cary Nelson, "Mindless: What Happened to Universities?" (Jewish Quarterly 259, 2025) 34:58

1M ago34:58

34:58

In Mindless: What Happened to Universities?, renowned scholar and former president of the American Association of University Professors Cary Nelson delivers a searing indictment of modern higher education. Once bastions of open debate and critical thinking, universities have become ideological battlegrounds where dissent is silenced, academic freed…

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Intuitive Eating 101 with Christy Harrison | Get Fit Sanely Listener Picks 15:59

1M ago15:59

15:59

We asked listeners to tell us about some of their favorite episodes from our Get Fit Sanely series, and we’ll be bringing you some excerpts of those episodes on Fridays this month. Today, we’re hearing from listener Traci who was introduced to the transformative concept of intuitive eating through our episode with dietician Christy Harrison. Paid s…

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Dr. Robert Malone: Silenced by Science – The Cost of Speaking Out 1:17:28

1M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

What happens when a scientist challenges the narrative he helped create? In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Robert Malone—credited with key innovations behind mRNA vaccine technology—shares his personal account of professional exile, media distortion, and the ethical dilemmas he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the inner work…

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How Fatherhood Rewires the Brain (and Why So Many Men Stay Silent) 23:19

1M ago23:19

23:19

In this episode, I explore what happens in a man’s mind when he becomes a father—and why so many dads carry their emotional weight in silence. From new dads to empty-nesters, the mental and emotional load of fatherhood is real—but rarely named. I’ll walk you through the neuroscience of paternal bonding, stress regulation, identity shifts, and inher…

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Owen Flanagan, "What Is It Like to Be an Addict?: Understanding Substance Abuse" (Oxford UP, 2025) 42:47

1M ago42:47

42:47

A powerful and important exploration of how addiction functions on social, psychological and biological levels, integrated with the experience of being an addict, from an acclaimed philosopher and former addict. What is addiction? Theories about what kind of thing addiction is are sharply divided between those who see it purely as a brain disorder,…

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If You Want To Be More Productive, You Need More Rest. Here’s How To Get It. | Claudia Hammond 58:36

1M ago58:36

58:36

A roadmap for a more balanced life. Claudia Hammond is an award-winning broadcaster, author, and psychology lecturer. In her work she shares the ways that psychological and medical research can help us in our everyday lives, whether through radio, TV, podcasts, public events or books. This episode is part of our ongoing Get Fit Sanely series. In th…

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Rich Roll On: How To Pursue Health Without Becoming Unhealthy; How To Establish Motivation & Momentum; And Why People Hate Vegans 1:28:35

1M ago1:28:35

1:28:35

Simple and realistic strategies from an ultra-endurance athlete. Rich Roll is a vegan ultra-endurance athlete and full-time wellness & plant-based nutrition advocate, podcast host, public speaker, and inspiration to people worldwide as a transformative example of courageous and healthy living. This episode is part of our ongoing Get Fit Sanely Seri…

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How To Get a Fluffy Hippocampus with Wendy Suzuki | Get Fit Sanely Listener Picks 14:29

2M ago14:29

14:29

We asked listeners to tell us about some of their favorite episodes from our Get Fit Sanely series, and we’ll be bringing you some excerpts of those episodes on Fridays this month. Today, we’re hearing from listener Cynthia who had a vivid takeaway from our episode on exercise and the brain with neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Paid subscribers of DanH…

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Ryan Proctor & Brian Jolley: Shared Reality – Consciousness as a Collective Dream 52:44

2M ago52:44

52:44

What is consciousness, really—and is it something we own, or something we share? In this expansive and deeply human conversation, Ryan Proctor and Brian Jolley join Artie to explore the layers of awareness, the roots of morality, and how technology, nature, and culture are reshaping what it means to be conscious. From the tragedy of the Library of …

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Neuroscientist Reveals: How AI Is Rewiring Your Brain Without You Realizing 27:47

2M ago27:47

27:47

AI isn’t just influencing your life — it’s rewiring your brain. 🧠 From how you scroll to how you think, the invisible impact of algorithms runs deeper than most people realize. In this episode, cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down what’s really happening inside your mind… and what you can do to protect it. 📌 What You’ll Learn: – H…

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Easy, Evidence-Based Hacks for Fitness | Marielle Segarra 59:06

2M ago59:06

59:06

Including: “exercise snacking,” prioritizing play, and overcoming “revenge bedtime procrastination.” Marielle Segarra is a reporter and the host of NPR's Life Kit, the award-winning podcast and radio show that shares trustworthy, nonjudgmental tips that help listeners navigate their lives. In this episode we talk about: How and why Marielle got in…

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Peak Performance at Any Age | Christiane Wolf (Dharma Teacher/Doctor/Ultramarathoner) 1:15:52

2M ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Beyond the cliché: listening to your body. Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD is a former physician and internationally known mindfulness and Insight (Vipassana) meditation teacher. She is the author of “Outsmart Your Pain” and the coauthor of “A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness”. She is also a senior teacher at InsightLA in Los Angeles. And in her …

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#383 - John Rapley: Why Empires Fall - Bretton Woods & Dollar Dominance 1:09:07

2M ago1:09:07

1:09:07

ORDER MY GAMESTOP BOOK - https://wen-moon.com In this episode, I sat down with John Rapley, who co-wrote “Why Empires Fall.” The conversation kicks off with a bit about how John and his co-author, Peter Heather, came up with the idea for the book. They realized that even though they came from different academic backgrounds, they had similar ideas a…