Meditate This!

JP Sears is trying to raise the planet's consciousness and help people live the most fulfilling life possible. He does this, in part, by making funny videos on YouTube that completely mock the very thoughts and practices that help people realize this kind of change. It leaves many left to wonder, just who is JP Sears? The good news for you—we've got him here in Episode 117 in all his glory: funny but insightful, irreverent but respectful. Take a listen. Or don't. He's cool with you doing whatever you gotta do.

As cofounder and president of Happify, giving people a fun way to pass the time is nothing new for Ofer Leidner. He cofounded and built several digital media businesses, including iPlay/Oberon Media, which offered those downloadable games for phones that consume hours and become an obsession for some. But despite his success, Ofer didn't feel great about the effects of his work. So he channeled his skills toward a whole new venture, where folks may still become immersed, but now, hopefully, for all the right reasons. Hear how Ofer and his colleagues are helping users break bad habits and start healthy new ones.

Visit us at: www.MeditateThisPodcast.com

https://www.facebook.com/MeditateThis/

John F. Simon, Jr. was riding high in the New York art scene in the early 1990s as a new media artist using LCD screens to project his computer renderings. His work sold quickly and is now part of the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others

But all that success rang hollow for him and in recent years he has channeled his creative energy into other modes of expression. In his new book Drawing Your Own Path: 33 practices at the Crossroads of Art and Meditation encourages reader to create their own artistic mindfulness routine, which they can then share and discuss with a community online at drawyourownpath.com. Hear more about why a daily drawing exercise might just be the mindful lift you need.

Visit www.MeditateThisPodcast.com

There are plenty of words that describe Agapi Stassinopolous, but they only go so far. Warm, magnetic, wise, theatrical, and honest—they all say the right thing, but in order to really understand Agapi and what she can offer, you really need to listen. The energy and spirit she projects, the way her smile comes through when she speaks, it all confirms the many reasons why hearing Agapi (or see her in NYC on Jan. 10!) helps explain the insight and inspiration she delivers.

Her new book—Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life—offer readers a sense of what's possible, and is available in print as well as audio. Be sure to give it a try and discover why Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert says: "Open this book at any chapter and you will tap into your calm and joy, no matter what challenges you may be facing." Also—follow Agapi's journey and learn more about her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and do watch her this Jan. 6 on the Today Show in the 10:00 a.m. hour..

Listen on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher Radio

and at www.MeditateThisPodcast.com

To paint a picture of Dr. Dan Siegel, we could easily provide you with a long list of highly impressive credentials. But that wouldn't represent Dan the person. Missing from that list would be how he unwinds at home by blasting his karaoke machine and dancing around the room. Or that he takes steps to include everyone in the big conversations--making even hard science relatable. In short, Dan aims for every last person to flourish.

There's plenty in this episode for everyone to learn, including Pete, who discovered why meditation has changed what life has to offer, and what 14-year-old brains can teach us. In the end, you may actually learn more about yourself than you do about Dan, but that's what he cares about most anyway.

Enjoy! -Pete and Jay

Listen at iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music

www.MeditateThisPodcast.com

Ask someone "what" they are and the answer will often be expressed in a single word to summarize their job: accountant...firefighter...salesperson...electrician...chef. For Elise Carr, founder of StellaMuse, the answer takes a lot longer, and seems to radiate like a sunbeam. Some specific things do come to mind, though: Pioneer of Yoni power, divinely empowered woman, sacred spirituality and sexuality director, life empowerment mentor, certified holistic health coach, writer, speaker, Tantra practitioner, Reiki master, model, artist, and trailblazer. Whew!

But beyond these labels, you'll hear why Elise is a person at peace, someone who has found her truth and dedicated her life to enabling others to pursue their own. Hear the series of events that propelled her onto this quest, why a fateful night in Paris changed everything, and where she may be heading next.

Back in 2003, people didn't talk much about acupuncture or meditation or aromatherapy–especially not in relation to treating serious illness. But Penny George saw an opportunity. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she was keenly aware of the need for nurturing the mind and spirit while addressing major issues with one's body. She thought: What if a center with ties to traditional medical care could offer patients the benefits of energy work, biofeedback, healing touch, and more?

What does it mean to flourish as a human being? Well, for many of us that might be a question not often asked, but for Aneel Chima it is his life's work to help us figure it out. While Aneel might be just as happy driving a city bus, he's currently very content as the co-leader of the Stanford University WellnessEd Project, which he co-founded and developed. In addition, Aneel co-founded At-The-Core, where he facilitates actualization and trans-formative change using emotional, social, and neurophysiological drivers of optimal team and leadership performance.

Above all these lofty goals and ambitions, Aneel is super-nice person, willing to sit patiently and teach what it means to thrive. We don't guarantee that he would give every stranger he meets a personal walking tour of Stanford University, an hour and a half interview, followed by a falafal dinner, but he certainly made Pete feel welcome by demonstrating what the traits of human flourishing look like up close: compassion, kindness, and wisdom.

What happens when a listener of the Meditate This! Podcast blows out the candles on their birthday cake? Their wish comes true and they appear as a guest on Mindfulness Schmindfulness. We can only assume that's what happened as one lucky listener was invited to the MT! Studios for an interrogation of her life. Meet Ryan, both skeptic and seeker, as she shares with us her life struggles and some very interesting signposts along the way. Ryan now says she never realized she could be this happy in life, which we assume has nothing to do with listening to our podcast.

Listen at:

www.MeditateThisPodcast.com

and at iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play Music