Small question: Is there a non-itunes version of this somewhere?

I use Pocket Casts on my Android phone, and it is available there!

Hope this helps.

You can use this link for any RSS based feed reader, or just click on the media enclosure at the bottom of the first article and listen in browser.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/abcradio/10percenthappier

Could someone give me a quick overview of what the podcast is about?

Direct link to the mp3: http://c.abcnewsradio.com/audio/2859770/2859770_2016-07-11-191110.96.mp3

Cool! While I personally don't believe in the power of meditation (at least not to the extent Dan and Dan does), this is a real interesting listen.

Dan Rickert!

@grithor: Don't personally practice it myself, but know that numerous studies have shown brain changes via MRI after consistent meditation. Is there a particular claim that you don't find compelling?

@forcen: @wheresatom: @thatbendorf: Much appreciated.

@mrroach: I should state that my scepticism on meditation is almost fully emotionally founded, based on personal experience of having several close relatives getting really into meditation and spending money on these private spiritual resorts (all run by wealthy businessmen who act eerily close to cult leaders), and also trying to push those practices on me. I own several meditational magazines and CD's because of this.

I probably shouldn't have commented about it in the first place because of my bias, but I had a knee-jerk sort of reaction.

Regarding the studies, I don't know much about them, only that there is a divisiveness between scientists on the real effects of meditation. However that may generally be in favor of meditation?

@grithor: I can understand that feeling. Being woo-adjacent can certainly make something look suspect :-). I remember being quite skeptical of the nearly-magical properties being ascribed to fish oil some years ago.

@mrroach: Sure. I mean I am all for scientific confirmation. If science in large is behind the supposed powerful qualities of meditation, I am all for it.

And to clarify, I understand the importance of there being a distinction drawn between meditation and people willing to use it as a means to get money and power (referring to these bullshit resorts).

Fuck, I just saw that the first guest was Dalai Lama.

You literally can't get further apart spiritually and mentally than Dan Ryckert and Dalai Lama.

It's a good listen and only an hour. I don't understand why Dan dumbs himself down so much at GB. I mean it can be funny but I feel like the site leans on being dummmmb at bit much. I really like when I hear them not playing it up for the camera so hard. It's refreshing to hear Jeff pretty much talking straight on Danswers for example.

@liquiddragon:
Necro'd, but I feel like Dan is smart enough to plan this as a long game. Dropping his shtick could lose him fans. Showing himself evolve and try new things (e.j. eating mayo), could be a slower transition to showing what it's like to grow and not just flip flop who you are.