10% Happier with Dan Harris

Dan Harris famously had a panic attack on live television while anchoring Good Morning America, and that moment of public unraveling led him to meditation -- and eventually to this podcast. He describes the show as "self-help for smart people," which is a fair tagline. Harris brings a journalist's skepticism to mindfulness and mental health, pressing his guests on evidence and calling out vague platitudes. With over 1,000 episodes and a 4.6 rating from more than 12,000 reviews, the show has built a loyal following among people who want the benefits of meditation without the incense-and-crystals packaging. Episodes run anywhere from 20 minutes to 90 minutes, dropping twice weekly. The guest roster includes psychologists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and meditation teachers from various traditions. Harris is refreshingly honest about his own struggles -- he does not pretend to have it all figured out, and he regularly admits when a practice is not working for him. The companion app offers guided meditations and live sessions, though the podcast stands on its own. What makes this show different from other mindfulness podcasts is Harris's willingness to be the skeptic in the room. He asks the questions that a cynical listener would ask, which paradoxically makes the wellness content more trustworthy. The result is a show that meets you exactly where you are, even if where you are is deeply suspicious of the whole enterprise.