PODCAST OVERVIEW
- Embracing mindfulness practices: Incorporate meditation into daily life.
- Challenging conventional happiness beliefs: Recognize happiness as a journey.
- Learning from diverse experts: Gain insights from varied perspectives.
- Finding incremental improvement: Aim for small, manageable changes.
- Cultivating self-compassion: Practice kindness toward oneself.
DESCRIPTION
10% Happier” is a podcast hosted by Dan Harris, a seasoned journalist and co-anchor of ABC’s Nightline. After experiencing a panic attack on live television, Harris embarks on a journey to explore mindfulness and meditation, ultimately leading him to create this insightful podcast. In each episode, he interviews a diverse array of guests, including renowned meditation teachers, scientists, and authors, who share their insights and expertise on the benefits of mindfulness and emotional well-being.
Harris approaches the subject matter with a healthy dose of skepticism, making the podcast relatable and accessible for listeners who may feel overwhelmed by the concept of meditation. He blends humor and candidness, drawing on his own experiences as he navigates the often daunting world of self-improvement. The podcast is structured around discussions that cover various topics, from the science of happiness to practical tips for integrating mindfulness into everyday life.
Listeners can expect a rich tapestry of stories and advice that challenge conventional notions of happiness. Harris often emphasizes that meditation is not about achieving a perfect state of bliss but about finding incremental improvements—hence the title “10% Happier.” The podcast encourages individuals to embrace their imperfections and cultivate a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
With its engaging format and thoughtful discussions, “10% Happier” has garnered a loyal following, making mindfulness and meditation more approachable for a broader audience. Dan Harris’s unique background as a journalist and his personal journey make him an authoritative and relatable host, inviting listeners to explore the transformative potential of mindfulness in their own lives.
TOPICS
- Mindfulness
- Happiness
- Meditation
EXTRA DETAILS
HOST: Dan HarrisAVG LENGTH: 1.0 hours
FORMATS: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music
SCHEDULE: Once a week
FORMAT: InterviewsINFLUENCER
- About
- Challenges

We’re all hooked on something. Here’s the way out, according to an MD who became a beloved nun.
Sister Dang Nghiem, MD, (“Sister D”) was born in 1968 in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, the daughter of a Vietnamese mother and an American soldier. She lost her mother at the age of twelve and immigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen with her brother. Living in various foster homes, she learned English and went on to earn a medical degree from the University of California – San Francisco. After suffering further tragedy and loss, she quit her practice as a doctor to travel to Plum Village monastery in France founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, where she was ordained a nun in 2000, and given the name Dang Nghiem, which means adornment with nondiscrimination. She is the author of a memoir, Healing: A Woman’s Journey from Doctor to Nun (2010), and Mindfulness as Medicine: A Story of Healing and Spirit (2015).
This episode is part of our monthlong Do Life Better series.
We talk about:
- Sister D’s Buddhist version of the 12 step program, which is a combination of two canonical buddhist lists: the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
- How willpower doesn’t fit into the Buddhist path of understanding and working with addiction
- How to change addiction at its root
- Practical applications of mindfulness
- Self-compassion
- The importance of social support
- Her thoughts on our relationships to our phones
- And more
Related Episodes:
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Full Shownotes: https://www.meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/sister-d-899
Additional Resources:
- Plum Village
- Deer Park Monastery
- Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel
- For an exclusive offering related to this episode, go to www.DanHarris.com




