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Dr. Rick Hanson

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

Transform Ill Will

Transform Ill Will

Goodwill and ill will are about intention: the will is for good or ill. Ill will creates negative, vicious cycles. But that means that good will can create positive cycles. Plus good will cultivates wholesome qualities in you.

Being Well Podcast: Children, Trauma, and Racism with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith

Being Well Podcast: Children, Trauma, and Racism with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith

How have children experienced this year’s challenges, and how can we get better at talking with them about race and racism? Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith joins Forrest to explore trauma, resilience, and effective coping, and particularly the unique challenges experienced by young people and their parents.

Being Well Podcast: Angry and Content

Being Well Podcast: Angry and Content

On today’s episode of @beingwellpodcast, Forrest and I explore how we maintain contentment, calm, or inner peace, while still aiming high, pursuing good goals, and experiencing natural frustration and anger. We also take a look at some provocative questions, like is contentment even a good goal when there’s so much injustice out in the world?

Change the Channel

Change the Channel

Sometimes when inner practices fail you, it helps to change the channel. A respite or some sort of pleasure will help to refuel you for challenges.

See Deep Wants

See Deep Wants

When deeper wants are recognized one feels seen and less likely to be reactive. See deep wants is understanding what someone may want and giving them an alternative offering which may reduce negative emotion and increased cooperation.

Being Well Podcast: How to Change Your Brain

Being Well Podcast: How to Change Your Brain

What can we do to achieve the ‘holy grail’ of personal growth – lasting change in our hearts, minds, and behaviors? How can we change the brain for good? That’s the focus of this episode: a full primer on the science of ‘positive neuroplasticity,’ including a lot of practical advice on how we can take control of our brain’s growth over time.