Everyday Better with Leah Smart

The Year for Irrational Hope: Dan Harris on Training the Mind Through Meditation

January 27, 2026·45 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

In the final episode of our January series, The Year for Irrational Hope, Leah Smart sits down with bestselling author and mindfulness teacher Dan Harris for a practical conversation about how to work with your mind when everything feels overwhelming. In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize and loosen the grip of your inner critic, respond instead of react under stress, and build hope and resilience through simple, science-backed mindfulness practices.  Whether you’re skeptical, overwhelmed, or just looking for tools that actually help, Dan breaks down meditation and mindfulness in a grounded, no-nonsense way, showing how mental training can help you feel calmer, more compassionate, and more in control, even amid uncertainty. Follow Dan Harris on LinkedIn and find his books 10% Happier here.  For more from Leah Smart while Everyday Better goes on hiatus, follow her on Substack,  LinkedIn and Instagram.

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