Stop Trying to Become Someone New: Get Past Constant Comparison and Return to What Works For You | Sam Sanders

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">What if the most meaningful thing you did for your mental health wasn't something new — but a return to what already brings you joy?</p> <p dir="ltr">Dan recently sat down with journalist and broadcaster Sam Sanders on the <a href= "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest">Sam Sanders Show</a> to explore exactly that idea. Sam has a concept he calls "modern scriptures": the movies, albums, and TV shows you return to again and again because they ground you, center you, and remind you what matters. Dan shares the pop culture that never fails to lift his spirits — and along the way, the two get into why beauty and art are actually central to human flourishing, why Ferris Bueller is more Buddhist than you might think, and what the research says about making resolutions stick — including the one upstream habit that makes everything else easier.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sam Sanders Show is a co-production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions. Sign up for <a href= "https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam's newsletter</a> for behind-the-scenes extras from every episode.</p> <p><strong><br /> <br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan's online community <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>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. <span draggable="true"><a href= "https://www.92ny.org/event/dan-harris-with-allison-gilbert" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register here.</a></span><br /> <br /> 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. <span draggable="true"><a href= "https://www.eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party#9851" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register here.</a></span><strong><br /></strong></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>