What stresses you out the most?
Have you noticed stress hurting your health?
Today, Jay sits down with Dan Harris, journalist, meditation advocate, and the author of 10% Happier. If you’ve ever felt like stress and anxiety are running the show in your life, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone—and better yet, there’s a way forward.
Dan opens up about the growing levels of anxiety and stress we’re all feeling, thanks to modern life’s endless distractions like social media, political turmoil, and the ripple effects of the pandemic. He unpacks the difference between stress and anxiety and offers some eye-opening perspectives on why we often feel overwhelmed. But this isn’t just a heavy conversation about what’s wrong with the world—it’s packed with solutions.
Jay and Dan dive into the magic of human connection, the science of mindfulness, and the art of not being so hard on yourself. Dan shares personal stories about grappling with anger, dealing with claustrophobia, and navigating his own inner critic. You’ll hear how meditation has been a game-changer for him, not in making life perfect, but in making it manageable—and even joyful.
They also get into the nitty-gritty of practical tips: How do you set boundaries with your phone? How do you learn to live with discomfort instead of running from it? And how can you reframe that negative self-talk that’s always lurking? Spoiler alert: It’s not about silencing your inner critic; it’s about befriending it.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Differentiate Stress from Anxiety
How to Build Meaningful Connections That Reduce Stress
How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk
How to Identify the Root Cause of Your Anger
How to Embrace Discomfort for Personal Growth
How to Recognize and Change Destructive Habits
You don’t need to have all the answers or fix everything overnight. It’s about showing up, being kind to yourself, and embracing the messy, imperfect journey of personal growth.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:08 How Are You Handling Stress?
02:51 What is Stressing You Out?
07:24 How to Build Deep Relationships
11:32 How Develop a Healthy Relationship
19:43 The Possibility of Reprogramming Your Inner Dialogue
24:16 The Benefits of Meditation
26:51 What is “ME”?
31:14 How Do You Befriend Your Mind?
38:37 There’s a Reason Why You Keep Wanting More
40:39 Get More Familiar with Your Thoughts
43:39 What is Your Daily Meditation Practice?
47:10 The Modular Model of Mind
51:49 Healthy Anger Versus Destructive Anger
57:07 Are You Defensive or Dismissive?
01:00:12 The Power of Having a Sense of Humor
01:03:05 Observe Nature to Understand Yourself
01:07:23 Dan on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Dan Harris | Website
Dan Harris | TikTok
Dan Harris | LinkedIn
Dan Harris | Instagram
Ten Percent Happier | YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.