Show Notes
For episode 272, we are launching a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, coming out on December 9th! Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here. For this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the family systems that support them. For the first episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Susan Kaiser Greenland. Susan is a mindfulness educator and bestselling author, specializing in distilling global wisdom traditions and scientific research into straightforward everyday practices. In the early 2000s, she helped pioneer the introduction of secular mindfulness into classrooms through her Inner Kids model. After decades of working with children and adults and writing two widely translated books, Susan’s latest book, Real-World Enlightenment, was published in 2024 by Shambhala. In this conversation, Susan and Sharon speak about: Susan’s journey with meditation Meditation’s effect on Susan’s son Inspiration for writing The Mindful Child Volunteering in schools Creating the Inner Kids program The importance of storytelling The playful approach for young ages The positive effects of mindfulness in schools The “Pink Bubble” compassion exercise Mindfulness for family dynamics Susan’s UCLA research findings Susan’s most recent book, Real World Enlightenment The episode closes with Susan leading guided practice. You can learn more about Susan’s work on her website, right here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More from Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg
For episode 297, Sharon sits down with Chris Germer to discuss his new book, Self-Compassion for Shame. Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of several books including Self-Compassion for Burnout, co-authored with Dr. Kristin Neff. His new book, Self-Compassion for Shame: A Step-by-Step Guide to Inner Freedom was just released in September of 2026 from The Guilford Press. Chris lectures and leads workshops internationally and has a small psychotherapy practice in Massachusetts. This is his first appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast. In this conversation, Sharon and Chris speak about: Chris’s early interest in psychology Learning meditation in the seventies Contemplative practice with psychology How Chris came to self-compassion Sharon’s influence in Chris’s path How loving-kindness changed Chris’s life Chris’s public speaking anxiety Sharon’s experience with public speaking How Chris became aware of his own shame Shame is an attack on the sense of self Shame compared to similar emotions and traits How we can learn to recognize shame How the new book is organized When shame can be helpful Dr Kristin Neff’s model of self-compassion Welcoming all parts of ourselves Taking responsibility for our shame Lean in, lean back, or let go Non-striving and non-fixing in self-compassion Self-compassion is the end of the struggle How Chris approaches his therapy practice Additional Resources: The episode closes with Chris leading a guided meditation on self-compassion for shame. You can learn more about Chris’s work right here. Related Metta Hour Episodes: Episode 252 Dr. Kristin Neff’s most recent appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For episode 296 Tim Desmond returns to the Metta Hour to discuss his new book series with Sharon. Tim Desmond is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Antioch University, and student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hạnh, under whom he was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2005. Founder of Peer Collective, and co-founder of Morning Sun Mindfulness Center, Tim lives in Oakland, CA, and teaches mindfulness and self-compassion practices to audiences around the world. He is the author of several books including Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma, and Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression, released by W. W. Norton & Company in 2026, and the forthcoming Buddhist Practices for Calming Anxiety. This is Tim’s second appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast. In this conversation, Sharon and Tim speak about: • Tim’s new book series • Buddhism for mental health • Right and wrong mindfulness • Thich Nhat Hanh’s influence on Tim’s teaching • Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma book • The “whole path” approach to mental health • The mind as the garden for working with trauma • What trauma-informed practice is • The better way to catch a snake • The Doors of Liberation teachings for trauma • Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression book • The role of Faith in working with depression • Cultivating the motivation/energy for healing • The self-sabotaging aspect of depression • Self-understanding is loving awareness • What offers resilience in the face of suffering • Thich Nhat Hanh’s Froglessness teaching • An update on Peer Collective Additional Resources The episode closes with a guided meditation from Tim. You can learn more about Tim’s work right here and learn about Peer Collective right here. Related Metta Hour Episodes Episode 194 Tim Desmond’s first appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2021. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Caverly Morgan joins Sharon for episode 295 of the Metta Hour Podcast to talk about her book, The Heart of Who We Are. Caverly Morgan is a teacher of awakening, nonprofit founder, speaker, and author who blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual and relational approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Caverly supports others in remembering our true nature—not through more techniques or self-improvement strategies, but through presence, inquiry, and togetherness. The Heart of Who We Are was released in 2022 from St. Martin's Essentials. Her other book, A Kids Book About Mindfulness, was released in 2024. She is a founder of the nonprofits Peace in Schools and Realizing Freedom Together, and has pioneered ways for communities to awaken collectively, making teachings that lead to liberation accessible to all. This is Caverly’s first appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast. In this conversation, Caverly and Sharon speak about: What drew Caverly to the dharma Her eight years in a Zen monastery Going from monastic life to teaching youth Caverly’s definitions of Zen and non-duality Being aware of awareness itself The shadows of any practice The practice of inquiry and togetherness What inspired the book, The Heart of Who We Are The CARE framework What self-compassion offers Caverly’s work with Dr. Kristin Neff How personal practice impacts others Mindfulness with young kids The Realizing Freedom Together nonprofit Additional Resources: The episode closes with a guided meditation from Caverly. You can learn more about Caverly’s work right here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beloved teacher, coach and author George Mumford returns to the Metta Hour for episode 294 to talk about the 2nd edition release of his book, The Mindful Athlete. George Mumford, a.k.a. The Performance Whisperer, is a globally recognized speaker, teacher, and pioneer in sports psychology and performance. Since 1989, he’s been honing his groundbreaking performance and mindfulness techniques with people from locker rooms to boardrooms, Yale to jail — as Phil Jackson’s ‘Secret Weapon’ to winning eight NBA Championships, helping Michael Jordan transform his leadership, and teaching Kobe Bryant to “just be.” George’s work incorporates principles based in positive psychology, mindfulness, philosophy, neuroscience, the recovery movement, group and organizational dynamics, and spiritual traditions from around the world. This is his third appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast. In this conversation, George and Sharon speak about: • The second edition of The Mindful Athlete • George’s three-fold training • Debunking mindfulness myths • Mindfulness versus right mindfulness • The Five Superpowers • How George adapts teachings • Compassion’s role in peak performance • Dissolution of ego for team success • Why George reads a book-a-day • Circular learning style • Ajahn Sumedho’s wisdom • The resilience of the NY Knicks • Finding our enthusiasm • How effort creates energy Additional Resources The episode closes with a guided meditation from George. You can learn more about George’s work right here and get a copy of the second edition of The Mindful Athlete right here. Related Metta Hour Episodes Episode 71 George Mumford’s first appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2018 Episode 214 George Mumford’s second appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2023 as part of the Mental Health Series. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Buddha taught a path of awakened living, but how does that manifest in today’s world of constant connectivity and widespread suffering? How do we keep our hearts open without being defined or hardened by the pain that surrounds us, whether personal, collective, or historical? How do we navigate the paradox of holding both pain and joy, without mistaking suffering for punishment or personal failure? Can we infuse our compassion with wisdom and perspective to find the agency to take meaningful action in our communities? In her new series, Engaged Compassion, Sharon delves into these questions and more, engaging in candid conversations with a diverse group of teachers, activists, and changemakers. For the ninth and final episode in the series, Sharon speaks with Shelly Tygielski. Philanthropist and social activist Shelly Tygielski has been hailed by individuals ranging from President Joe Biden to Arianna Huffington and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn to Maria Shriver. She is the founder of the global, grassroots mutual aid organization, Pandemic of Love and the co-founder of Partners in Kind, a purpose in production equity fund that invests in projects that focus on social impact in entertainment. Her work has been featured in over 100 media outlets, including CNN Heroes, The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS This Morning, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. A Garrison Institute Fellow, Shelly has been called one of the “12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement” by Mindful.org and teaches self-care and resilience at organizations and to audiences around the world. She is also the author of several books, “Sit Down to Rise Up” and “How We Ended Racism.” This is her second appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast. In this conversation, Shelly and Sharon speak about: • What motivated Shelly to get her PH.D. • The definition of Mutual Aid • Mutual Aid across history • Peter Kropotkin’s view of society • Cooperation vs competition in society • Thriving interspecies ecosystems • How Shelly’s practice has evolved over time • Finding a balance in our compassion • Prioritizing self-care in engaged compassion • How Shelly has let go of her caregiving guilt • The signs that burnout is lurking • Seeing resentment as a signal flare • Shelly’s advice to change-makers • Activism with our own sustainability in mind • Asking for help before falling into burnout • Joy is not an abandonment of responsibility • How Shelly finds joy in nature and with music Additional Resources The episode closes with Shelly leading a lovingkindness meditation. Learn more about Shelly’s work and her different books right here. Learn more about Pandemic of Love right here. Related Metta Hour Episodes Episode 121: Shelly’s first appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.