Your Great Journey

Mindfulness practice can help bring us, moment by moment, into a greater sense of spaciousness, calmness, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world. Today we’re offering step-by-step instructions for a simple mindfulness practice you can return to over and over again. Today we’re sharing an excerpt from the popular audiobook “The Art and Skill of Buddhist Meditation: Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight,” by Richard Shankman. This audiobook is a practical guide to building a strong meditation practice using mindfulness, concentration, and insight. In this episode Richard offers step-by-step instructions for a foundational mediation practice: Mindfulness of Breathing. This simple mindfulness practice helps us learn how to be present as we connect mindfully with the experience of breathing—just as it is happening now.

We all want to live a fulfilling, authentic, and expansive life. But how do we do that? How can we access our deepest inner resources? Today, author and coach Robert Rabbin shares his thoughts about discovering the inner wisdom and clarity hat lies inside of everyone. Robert Rabbin is the author of the audiobook "The Sacred Hub: Living in the Shimmering Light of Your True Self." This audiobook is an inspiring guide through the process of questioning, reframing, and deepening awareness that will help you discover your own infinite nature–one of enduring happiness and peace. In today’s conversation, Robert talks about how to reframe problems so that we aren’t contracted and anxious, allowing us to more easily access inner wisdom and our capacity for insight, presence, and action. He shares thoughts on the power of accessing the still space beyond the mind—the source of our deepest inner wisdom and clarity. Stay tuned after the conversation—Robert shares an excerpt from "The Sacred Hub" audiobook.

We can all benefit from a quick and easy way to stop stress and bring ourselves back to the present moment. QUIET is an acronym for a simple technique that helps you quiet your mind in any given moment. Best of all, it only takes a few seconds! In this episode we’re sharing an excerpt from psychotherapist Dr. Arnie Kozac’s audiobook "The Awakened Introvert: Practical Mindfulness Skills to Help You Maximize Your Strengths and Thrive in a Loud and Crazy World." In "The Awakened Introvert," Dr. Kozac shares mindfulness and cognitive behavioral tools that will help you unlock the full potential of the introvert brain. In this excerpt, Dr. Kozac shares a great technique to access mindfulness on the go—a series of five steps designed to interrupt automatic mind patterns that lead to stress. You can do the QUIET technique multiple times a day to help feel grounded and calm.

In the short term, it might seem like it makes sense to avoid things that trigger fear or anxiety. But this strategy to manage anxiety can actually increase your anxiety response in future situations. This cycle can lead to increased anxiety and worry, and a loss of confidence in your ability to cope. In this episode we offer an excerpt from the audiobook “Don’t Let Your Anxiety Run Your Life,” written by doctor of psychology David Klemanski and Joshua Curtiss. In this excerpt, David and Joshua discuss the problems and pitfalls of common strategies to avoid anxiety.

Belonging is a basic human need. Any rejection we experience tends to create a normal sense of discomfort. When rejection triggers a deeper feeling of pain, it may come from a belief that we are worthless or unlovable. We may also feel an emotional intensity that is greater than the situation calls for. But even in the midst of an intense reaction, we can learn how to handle rejection and find our way back to emotional balance. In this episode we’re sharing an excerpt from the audiobook “Stop Overreacting: Effective Strategies for Calming Your Emotions” written by marriage and family therapist Judith Siegel. Stop Overreacting helps you identify your emotional triggers and neutralize overwhelming emotions—choosing healthy responses instead of losing control.

We know that good self-esteem can help us have a better, more fulfilling life. But if you’re exhausted from the pursuit of high self-esteem, clinical psychologist Dr. Christina Hibbert says may be time to consider something more holistic, gentle and effective. Today we’re sharing an excerpt from Dr. Christina Hibbert’s audiobook "Who Am I Without You? 52 Ways to Rebuild Self-Esteem After A Breakup." While this audiobook is full of tips for anyone struggling with the end of a relationship, it’s equally valuable for anyone looking for a life with more energy, gratitude, and focus. In this episode, Dr. Hibbert speaks from her experience with many clients who have tried and failed to improve their lives by working on their self-esteem. Instead, she suggests re-framing our concept of ourselves—and it begins with acceptance, rather than striving.

Frustrated with outdated forms of spirituality that emphasize rejecting the thinking mind and the ego, best-selling author and pioneering philosopher Tim Freke has created a fresh approach to spirituality for the 21st century. Today he presents an inspiring talk about the ‘deep awake’ state, which offers what he calls an “engaged, sensual enlivenment.” In this episode, Tim encourages us to embrace our humanness and break through old, “either/or” thinking. His inspiring perspective sets us free to experience a new way of thinking and a new spiritual paradigm. We hope you enjoy Tim’s great sense of humor and profound love of life!

If you’re an emotionally sensitive person, you’ve probably heard this before: “Stop being so sensitive.” These words can be frustrating because you can’t just switch off your emotions. But there are effective techniques that can help you manage your emotions before they take over your life. Psychologist Dr. Karyn Hall joins us to offer advice for emotionally sensitive people and to talk about her audiobook, "The Emotionally Sensitive Person: Finding Peace When Your Emotions Overwhelm You." This audiobook provides proven-effective cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques to help anyone who struggles with intense emotions. In this informative conversation, Dr. Hall talks offers advice for those who are emotionally sensitive. She also discusses mindfulness, and why it's especially helpful for the emotionally sensitive person.

Do you ever wish you could manage intense emotions more confidently? Anger, hurt, grief, worry, and other intense feelings can be overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling out of control or overly emotional then you’ll appreciate this episode which features an excerpt from the popular audiobook "Calming the Emotional Storm: Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Manage & Balance Your Life," by mental health therapist, Sheri Van Dijk, MSW. Sheri draws from her extensive experience teaching dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills to offer a comprehensive audiobook full of helpful tips for managing intense emotions. Today Sheri discusses three different ways we think about the events and people in our lives. At any time, we can be processing with our "emotional self,” our "reasonable self,” or our "wise self.” Sheri discusses how to access or wisest self, expand self-awareness, and begin living an emotionally balanced and harmonious life.

Anxiety is an epidemic in our modern world. Almost everyone experiences some anxiety regularly. In this episode, Psychologist Dr. David Klemanski talks about the latest and most effective techniques available to reduce and eliminate anxiety, including practicing mindfulness to overcome anxiety. He also discusses his new audiobook, “Don’t Let Your Anxiety Run Your Life,” step-by-step guide for managing the thoughts and feelings that cause anxiety, worry, fear, and panic. If you’re ready to take steps to skillfully manage anxiety, then you’ll appreciate this informative interview.

Staying within our comfort zones is reassuring and very tempting. However, many experts agree that our lives improves when we break out of our comfort zones. In this episode we’re sharing a humorous excerpt from the audiobook “How to Be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use,” written by psychologist Randy Paterson. In this tongue-in-cheek audiobook, Dr. Paterson outlines 40 specific behaviors and habits, which—if followed—are sure to lead to a lifetime of unhappiness. On the other hand, if you do the opposite, you might just find yourself living a happy, fulfilled life. We hope this excerpt will inspire you to try new things, take some new chances, and expand beyond your comfort zones into a world of new possibilities!

How often do you crawl into bed after an exhausting day only to find that you can’t sleep? What's often overlooked in getting a good night's sleep is the importance of preparing for sleep. In this episode psychologist Dr. Ted Zeff offers some practical techniques to help you transition from your wakeful, daytime life to a night of deep, restful sleep. Today we’re sharing an excerpt from “The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide: Essential Skills for Living Well in an Overstimulating World,” written Dr. Ted Zeff. In this episode, Dr. Zeff addresses a problem that many highly sensitive people suffer from—sleep issues. While some people can sleep through sirens and earthquakes, the highly sensitive person feels they can’t sleep with light background noise or ambient lighting. While there are many possible reasons for sleep problems, over stimulation can often block natural sleep signals, and leave you tossing and turning. Dr. Zeff offers essential strategies to help you make the transition from alert and

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from the popular audiobook "The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It," by psychologist Dr. David Carbonell. This popular and effective audiobook shows how anxiety hijacks the brain, and offers effective techniques to help you break the cycle of worry—once and for all. In this episode, Dr. Carbonell talks about how it’s easy to get fooled by our thoughts— especially worrisome thoughts. The real meaning of the worrisome thoughts generally has little to do with the subject matter of the thoughts. In this excerpt, he shares his approach to dealing with chronic worry.

We all know that men and women think differently. When women don’t understand how the male mind works, it can lead to frustration, misunderstandings and difficult relationships. Today psychologist Shawn Smith, author of the audiobook “The Woman’s Guide to How Men Think,” offers insights into male psychology, and some practical tips for women to help them better understand and connect with the men they love.

When you’re meditating, does it ever feel like you‘re struggling or working hard? Do you have a sense that you should be having a different experience? Even in times like these you can learn to rest and relax. Today we’re exploring the Buddhist meditation skill of “right effort”—being fully in the present while naturally moving toward more peace, clarity, and awareness. Today we’re sharing an excerpt from the audiobook "The Art and Skill of Buddhist Meditation: Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight," written by Richard Shankman. This audiobook is a practical guide to building a strong meditation practice using mindfulness, concentration, and insight.   Developing the meditation skill of “right effort” will help you let go of struggle and fully open to the present moment. You’ll learn to meet yourself with kindness, compassion, and a sense of exploration and experimentation.

What happens when the ground beneath your feet gives way? A relationship ends unexpectedly, success turns to failure overnight, a loved one dies, or you receive a diagnosis out of the blue. In times of deep uncertainty, we often have the sense that our world is spinning out of control. Jeff Foster studied astrophysics at Cambridge University. He now holds meetings around the world, gently pointing people back to the deep acceptance inherent in the present moment. In this episode, we’re sharing an excerpt from Jeff’s audiobook, "Falling in Love with Where You Are"—where he offers comforting and inspiring wisdom for times of deep uncertainty.

How many times a day do you criticize or judge yourself? In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lynn Rossy shares a short guided meditation from her audiobook "The Mindfulness-Based Eating Solution: Proven Strategies to End Overeating, Satisfy Your Hunger, and Savor Your Life." This guided mindfulness practice will help you notice thoughts without judgment or trying to change what arises. You can learn to not be affected by your thoughts and relate to them in a way that ends their control of you and your behavior.

We all have access to a deep well of inner wisdom—a source we can draw on for clarity when determining the best course of action in any area of life. But when we’re in the midst of stressful and challenging times, it can be difficult to access inner wisdom. In this episode we’re sharing an excerpt from the audiobook "The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit," written by psychologist Amy Johnson. Dr. Johnson draws on a powerful combination of neuroscience and spirituality to illustrate a profound truth: your mental patterns are the result of simple brain wiring that can be easily changed. Today Dr. Johnson discusses the spiritual component of breaking a habit—though the advice she shares applies to any area of life where we need to access inner wisdom—the deep knowing of our true self.

We know we should probably meditate, but we may find ourselves distracted by dozens of different impulses the second we try to clear our minds. The benefits of practices like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) are well known, but many people still struggle to keep up a consistent meditation practice. Today we’re sharing an excerpt from an audiobook full of mindfulness techniques: MBSR Every Day: Daily Practices from the Heart of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction by Dr. Elisha Goldstein and Dr. Bob Stahl. In this episode, Drs. Goldstein and Stahl address the problem that many people have with meditation: it’s harder than it seems! They identify five common obstacles that can derail your best efforts to meditate, as well as five antidotes to those obstacles. If you’re looking for a little less frustration on the path to being more present, today’s episode is a great place to start!

How many times have you heard people say that change is hard, or painful? In today’s episode, Bob Litwin, a Wall Street performance coach and world champion tennis player, addresses the common misconception that change is difficult. In fact, if you tell a new story, change can be fun and surprisingly simple. Bob is author of the audiobook “Live the Best Story of Your Life: A World Champion's Guide to Lasting Change.” This audiobook offers 33 personalized coaching sessions that will help you reach new levels of success in every area of your life. His groundbreaking technique of changing your story is a fast, easy and effective way to create lasting change.