logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
23m 50s

The 4 Pillars of Well-Being, with Dr. Ri...

Sean Fargo
About this episode

Well-being can be an abstract term. We’ve all heard that things like eating well, exercising and meditating are good for us, but we might be unsure why, or if they even work. 

For mindfulness and meditation researcher Dr. Richie Davidson, well-being is a measurable skill. And like any skill, it can be cultivated with practice. Well-being, he says, improves when we train in four specific areas: awareness, connection, insight and purpose.

In this episode, Davidson introduces us to these pillars of well-being that, when nurtured, result in a life of greater comfort, health and happiness. To learn more about the science behind this transformation, listen to his previous episode, #051: The Modern Science of Mindfulness.

Dr. Richard J. Davidson is a research professor of psychology and psychiatry and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His non-profit, Healthy Minds Innovations, uses the discoveries and insights gleaned from research to create tools to help people around the world build skills of well-being. 

This talk is a brief excerpt from Dr. Richie Davidson’s guest teacher presentation to those enrolled in the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program. This unique, online, self-paced certification program balances pre-recorded webinars with live mentorship. Students in the program learn directly from Sean Fargo, his team, and some of the world’s most respected mindfulness and meditation experts. 

Train to share mindfulness with confidence, compassion and skill within a supportive online community. Learn more at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify or, schedule a 15-minute call with Sean to see if this program is right for you at https://calendly.com/sean-108/application


Related Episodes:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Self-Love Is Not Selfish: The Real Inner Work of Mindful Leaders
In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, we explore how self-love is not a luxury or cliché — it’s a foundational practice of mindful living and teaching. Through reflections, real-life examples, and guided insights, you’ll learn how cultivating compassion toward you ... Show More
26m 27s
Jul 5
Francesca Maxime on ReRooting Safety in the Body and in Community
In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Francesca Maxime—Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, certified mindfulness teacher, and founder of ReRooted Healing. Drawing from her lived experience as a Haitian-Dominican Italian-American and her years ... Show More
1h 19m
Jun 30
How to Teach Mindfulness Without Bypassing Trauma
Spiritual bypassing can quietly undermine our best intentions as mindfulness teachers — especially when trauma is involved. In this powerful episode, we unpack what it means to teach mindfulness without bypassing trauma, and why it’s so essential to adapt practices for the nervou ... Show More
53m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
The Mind-Bending Science of Advanced Meditation | Matthew Sacchet
What it is, how beginners can get a taste, the dangers of striving, and whether tech can make it easier.   Dr. Matthew D. Sacchet, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Meditation Research Program at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (Ma ... Show More
1h 22m
Jun 2024
88. The Healing Power of Meditation: 5 Ways Meditation Supports Your Recovery from Porn Addiction
In this episode of 'Unhooked', host Jeremy Lipkowitz explores the critical role of meditation in recovering from porn addiction. He outlines five key benefits that meditation provides: developing mindfulness, strengthening self-control, cultivating emotional resilience, ... Show More
16m 58s
Jul 2024
A Buddhist Antidote To Fear And Anxiety | Devin Berry
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers --- The two practices that helped turn this self described scowling, sarcastic skeptic into an expert meditator Since 1999, Devin Berry has been a dedicated medit ... Show More
1h 7m
Nov 2024
The Science Of Walking: The Benefits Of Walking In Nature, Walking Meetings, And Walking Meditation | Dacher Keltner
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This scientist says that walking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are some ways you can incorporate it into your life. Today we're goi ... Show More
33m 53s
Oct 2024
1078: Building Resilience Through Consistent Mindfulness: Key Insights from Jon Kabat-Zinn's Wisdom
In today's episode, Gina shares the wisdom of Jon Kabat-Zinn regarding the value of building a mindfulness practice, especially emphasizing the importance of regularity of practice. Many people struggle with beginning a regular mindfulness practice, often fearing that they are no ... Show More
26m 27s
Feb 2025
How To Make a Marriage Work | Chodo Robert Campbell and Koshin Paley Ellison (Co-Interviewed by Dr. Bianca Harris)
A candid, useful, and hilarious conversation.   Chodo Robert Campbell Sensei is a Zen teacher, bereavement specialist, grief counselor and a recognized leader for those suffering with the complexities of death & dying, aging, and sobriety. The educational non-profit he co-founded ... Show More
1h 18m
Mar 2025
Synergistic Strength, Day 6" "Transformation: An Inner RenAIssance"
Today's powerful meditation combines four potent tools to help you navigate and adapt to the rapidly evolving AI-driven world. You'll be layering an affirmation, a specific breathing technique, a symbolic mudra, and a focus on a key chakra, creating a synergistic practice to cult ... Show More
12m 3s
Jul 2024
259: The Sovereignty Mindset: A Path to Happiness with Dr. Emma Seppälä
Explore the path to happiness and fulfillment through personal sovereignty. This episode is all about reclaiming your power, overcoming fears, and cultivating resilience for inner peace and personal strength. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and breathing techniqu ... Show More
56m 54s
May 30
3615: Benefits of Mindfulness by Dr. Lisa Firestone of PsychAlive on Emotional Health
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3615: Dr. Lisa Firestone explores how mindfulness can transform emotional health, boost physical resilience, and deepen our ... Show More
12m 8s
Sep 2018
A Walking Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn
Take a guided walk to help savor your day. This walking practice isn’t about where you go or how fast you go. It’s about staying consistently in the present moment and embracing mindfulness with each step.  Show notes: This meditation is adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Guided Mindf ... Show More
9m 28s