A Toolkit for a Noisy Mind: How John Green Manages Anxiety, Depression, and Intrusive Thoughts

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">Plus, how the bestselling author writes his way out of despair.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.johngreenbooks.com/">John Green</a> is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, and The Anthropocene Reviewed. With his brother, Hank, John has co-created many online video projects, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers">Vlogbrothers</a> and the educational channel <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/crashcourse">Crash Course</a>. His most recent book is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Tuberculosis-Persistence-Deadliest-Infection/dp/0525556575"> Everything Is Tuberculosis</a>.<strong><br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode we talk about:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">John's toolkit for managing thought spirals and dispair</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why he wrote a whole book about the thing that terrifies him </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How he maintains hope in a chaotic and unfair world</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Finding the "self"</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"> Shame reduction through naming</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What John learned from his time as a chaplain in a pediatric hospital </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">His current view of God</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And the question of how much––or how little––we should be sharing about ourselves with other people</li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Get the 10% with Dan Harris app <a href= "https://app.danharris.com/membership">here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Sign up for Dan's free newsletter <a href= "http://www.danharris.com/">here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Follow Dan on social: <a href= "https://bit.ly/3tGigG5">Instagram</a>, <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FOA84J">TikTok</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Subscribe to our <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FybRzD">YouTube Channel</a></p> <p><strong><br /> <br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and via streaming. <a href= "https://www.92ny.org/event/dan-harris-with-allison-gilbert">Register here.</a></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan, Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren for Meditation Party, a 3-day immersive retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 16–18, 2026. <a href= "https://www.eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party#9851">Register here.</a></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> This episode is sponsored by:</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> <strong>Paleo Valley</strong> — 100% grass-fed beef sticks made without preservatives or additives. Get 15% off at <a class= "underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href= "https://www.paleovalley.com/happier">https://www.paleovalley.com/happier</a> or use code HAPPIER at checkout</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> <strong>Square</strong> — Business tools with AI, smart reporting, and payments all in one place. Get up to $200 off Square hardware at <a class= "underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href= "https://www.square.com/go/happier">https://www.square.com/go/happier</a></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> <strong>Gainbridge</strong> — Guaranteed-rate financial products with no hidden fees. Learn more at <a class= "underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href= "https://www.gainbridge.com/">https://www.gainbridge.com</a></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> <strong>LinkedIn Ads</strong> — Reach the right professionals with precision targeting. Spend $250 and get a $250 credit at <a class= "underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href= "http://www.linkedin.com/happier">http://www.linkedin.com/happier</a></p> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris">https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris</a></p> <p> </p>