10% Happier with Dan Harris

Dan Harris describes 10% Happier as self-help for smart people, and the show delivers on that promise. Dan is a veteran ABC News journalist who had a panic attack on live television, which led him to meditation and eventually to writing a bestselling book about his experience. The podcast grew out of that book and has become one of the most respected shows at the intersection of mindfulness, science, and practical psychology. With roughly 1,000 episodes in the archive and new episodes releasing twice a week, the show covers anxiety management, happiness research, meditation techniques, stress reduction, and personal philosophy. Episodes range from short 13-minute guided meditation practices to full-length interviews running over an hour. Recent guests include happiness researchers Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis, Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday, integrative medicine specialist Dr. Victoria Maizes, and Tim Ferriss. What makes this podcast distinct is Dan's skeptical, journalist-trained mind. He does not accept vague spiritual claims at face value and consistently pushes guests to back up their ideas with evidence. He is also refreshingly honest about his own struggles with anxiety and the limits of meditation as a cure-all. The show carries a 4.6-star rating from over 12,000 reviews. Some listeners note the ad load can be heavy, but the content quality remains consistently high.