In one of the most interesting conversations we’ve ever had on the podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Jacob Ham explores what really helps people work with – and be with – trauma.

Rick Hanson
Author / Psychologist
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Biography
Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 33 languages, and include Making Great Relationships, Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Just One Thing, Buddha’s Brain, and Mother Nurture – with over a million copies in English alone. He's the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well Podcast – which has been downloaded over 15 million times. His free newsletters have over 260,000 subscribers and his online programs have scholarships available for those in need. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and has taught in meditation centers worldwide. He and his wife live in Northern California and have two adult children. He loves the wilderness and taking a break from emails.
Articles
Meditation + Talk: Wise Effort: Already Home
In this series on Wise Effort, Rick talks about what to do when we are feeling discombobulated, rattled alarmed, and outraged.
Being Well Podcast: The Being Well Holiday Survival Guide
Dr. Rick and Forrest explore how to survive the holidays with the dishes (mostly) intact.
Meditation + Talk: Tools For Difficult Conversations
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Oren Jay Sofer offered a meditation and talk called Tools For Difficult Conversations.
Love Your Neighbor
Kindness to others is enlightened self-interest. Compassion and kindness expresses an inner freedom.
Being Well Podcast: The Polyvagal Theory and Recovering from Trauma with Dr. Stephen Porges
Dr. Stephen Porges walks us through how lessons from polyvagal theory can be applied to recovering from traumatic experiences.
Meditation + Talk: How to Use Fear and Not Let It Use You
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Rick Hanson offered a meditation and talk called How to Use Fear and Not Let It Use You.
Bless
To blissful is to see what is tender and beautiful, and wish well. Look for good things in others. Know what the act and attitude of blessing feel like, and take in the experience to call upon it in the future.
Being Well Podcast: Mastering Change with Brad Stulberg
Brad Stulberg joins Forrest to explore how we can reshape who we are, navigate and embrace change, and become more resilient.
Meditation + Talk: See the Whole, Be the Whole
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Rick Hanson offered a meditation and talk called See the Whole, Be the Whole.
Drop The “Shoulds”
When healthy inclinations become “shoulds” “musts” then there is a big problem. Consider a situation that bothers you, and find a deeper “should” that’s related to an experience you “must” have or avoid. Face the should, ask this question: “Is it really true?”
Being Well Podcast: Should You Become A Parent?
On today’s episode, Dr. Rick and Forrest focus on one of the most important decisions we’ll make in life: the choice to become a parent.