The Neuroscience of Flourishing: Four Practices for Turning Stress and Anxiety Into Clarity and Calm | Richard Davidson and Cortland Dahl

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">The Dalai Lama's longtime collaborator on achieving fundamental okayness, transforming daily annoyances, and rewiring your brain.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.richardjdavidson.com/">Richard J. Davidson</a>, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also the Founder & Director of the <a href= "https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/overview">Center for Healthy Minds</a> and Founder of the non-profit <a href= "https://www.humin.org/">Humin</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://cortlanddahl.com/">Cortland Dahl</a>, PhD, is a scientist, author, translator, and meditation teacher for the Tergar community. </p> <p dir="ltr">Davidson and Dahl's latest book is <a href= "https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Born-to-Flourish/Richard-J-Davidson/9781668066232">Born to Flourish</a>. They also author the Substack newsletter, <a href= "https://dharmalabco.substack.com/">Dharma Lab</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode we talk about:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What it really means to flourish </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How difficult emotions like anxiety, fear, or grief can coexist with well-being</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why flourishing is a trainable skill set, not a personality trait or a self-improvement project</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">An introduction to the Healthy Minds Framework and its four pillars: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why short, informal "micro-practices" can be just as effective as formal meditation</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to cultivate purpose</li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Related Episodes:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.danharris.com/p/how-a-buddhist-monk-deals-with-anxiety?utm_source=publication-search"> How a Buddhist Monk Deals With Anxiety | Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.danharris.com/p/the-view-of-american-turmoil-from-8d8?utm_source=publication-search"> The View of American Turmoil from the Other Side of the World | Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche</a><strong><br /></strong></li> </ul> <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 dir="ltr"><em>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.</em> <em><span draggable= "true"><a href= "https://www.92ny.org/event/dan-harris-with-allison-gilbert" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register here.</a></span></em><br /> <br /> <em>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.</em> <em><span draggable="true"><a href= "https://www.eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party#9851" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register here.</a></span></em> </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>Fast Growing Trees</strong> — America's largest online nursery, with plants guaranteed to arrive healthy. 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