Chade-Meng Tan

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Today we have a truly incredible episode about how to meditate in hell. You’re going to meet a man named Jarvis Jay Masters, who I interviewed from his cell on death row at San Quentin prison in California. Any of us who meditate do our best to apply it to life’s ups and downs — but this person has been applying it in some truly extreme circumstances.  Jarvis has now spent more than three decades on death row, including more than two decades in solitary confinement. Shortly after Jarvis’s death sentence, he became interested in Buddhism, and started developing a rigorous practice under the tutelage of a Tibetan lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Jarvis has now written and published two books about his life, Finding Freedom and That Bird Has My Wings. Both feature forewords by the renowned meditation teacher Pema Chödrön, who has been on this show, and his second book was endorsed by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and also by Oprah Winfrey, who selected the book for her famous book club last year. Jarvis’s current appeal sits before a federal judge as we speak. A decision on his future could be reached any day.  Heads up there are frank discussions of suicide and domestic violence in this conversation. In this episode we talk about: His childhood His road to prison How he unlearned traditional (and harmful) aspects of masculinity How he began to write, and the impact that had on him and his standing in the prison How he meditates in a noisy prison The details of his meditation practice His off-the-cushion practice of ‘engaged Buddhism’ with his fellow inmates How he prepares for the possibility of release–and for the possibility of execution How he defines freedom Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/jarvis-jay-masters-579

27 Mars 202348min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- People have mixed feelings about the popularization of mindfulness and meditation over the last 10 or 15 years with some referring to it as “McMindfulness.” The critiques can be worthy and the mainstreaming of meditation and mindfulness also have helped millions of people upgrade their lives. One of the many areas where mindfulness and meditation have made inroads of late is the workplace.  All sorts of employers are offering their teams access to meditation via apps or in-person training. But does this stuff actually work? Does it really make you happier at work or better at your job? And what techniques produce which benefits? Professor Lindsey Cameron is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Management. Her research focuses on mindfulness as well as the future of work. She has a 20 year practice, having studied and taught primarily in the Vipassana and non-dual traditions. In her prior career, Professor Cameron spent over a decade in the US intelligence and in diplomatic communities serving the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. In this episode we talk about: What companies mean when they talk about mindfulness at work What the mindfulness at work research says and how Prof. Cameron parses the results The ways mindfulness helps us counteract our inherent biases and stereotypes Which specific practices are most beneficial, depending on the situation  Prof. Cameron’s tips for integrating small mindfulness moments into our everyday routines  Where she stands on the whole “McMindfulness” debate Prof. Cameron’s research into the gig economy — and how, paradoxically, an Uber worker can feel a sense of autonomy and freedom even though the work is ultimately being dictated by an algorithm Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/lindsey-cameron-577

22 Mars 202355min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This is the third installment in our Work Life series. In other episodes, we cover topics like imposter syndrome, whether mindfulness really works at work, and whether you should actually bring your whole self to the office. Today's episode is one that many of us struggle with: interpersonal conflict at work. Our guest is a true ninja on this topic. Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who writes and speaks about interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, gender, and effective communication. Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review and the author of a new book, Getting Along, How to Work with Anyone, Even Difficult People. She's also written the The Harvard Business Review Guide to Dealing With Conflict, and she cohosts the Women at Work podcast.    In this episode we talk about: Why quality interactions at work are so important for our professional success and personal mental health Why Gallo believes one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to dealing with difficult people in the workplace  Why avoidance isn’t usually an option  What the research tells us about work friendships Why we have a tendency to dehumanize people who have more power than us Why passive aggressive people can be the most difficult to deal with The provocative question of whether we are part of the problem when work conflict crops up And, a taxonomy of the eight different flavors of difficult coworkers, including the pessimist, the victim, the know-it-all, and the insecure boss — with tactics for managing each.  Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/amy-gallo-576

20 Mars 20231h 11min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- The phrase imposter syndrome has increasingly crept into the culture. If you haven’t heard of it, it basically means that you feel like you’re a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary. As this term has gained more purchase in our culture, it’s also been subjected to an increasing amount of scrutiny and criticism, and also confusion. So, today we’re going to try to cut through some of that with Dr. Valerie Young, who’s been an internationally recognized expert on imposter syndrome since 1982. Young is the co-founder of the Imposter Syndrome Institute. She wrote a book called, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It. As you’ll hear her explain, imposter syndrome is not just for women — men deal with it, too, as do many other people along the gender spectrum. This is the second installment of our ongoing work/life series. In this episode we talk about: The three things that define impostor syndrome  Dr. Young’s contention that imposter syndrome impacts both men and women, but tends to hold women back more What it means to shift from impostor thinking to thinking like “a humble realist” Why we need to learn to reframe competence Whether or not impostor syndrome is limited to the professional sphere The impact of identity/social group  Three tools for dealing with imposter feelings Whether or not imposter feelings ever go away What to do if you’re in a relationship with someone with imposter syndrome And whether there are any upsides to imposter syndrome Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/valerie-young-574

15 Mars 20231h 5min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This is the first of a four part series on work that we’re calling, “Work Life.”  Work can play a huge role in our sanity and happiness, or lack thereof. So today we're going to tackle some common and thorny questions with a guy who has been extremely successful at work and now teaches other people how to do so. We talk about questions such as how much work life balance should we really strive for? Is hustle culture really dead? What's the role of luck in success? How much is enough and should you bring your whole self to the office?  Scott Galloway is a professor of marketing at NYU's Stern School of Business. He's also a serial entrepreneur. He's founded nine companies, including Profit, Red Envelope, and Section Four. He's served on the boards of directors of the New York Times Company, Urban Outfitters and Panera Bread. He's the best-selling author of many books, including, The Algebra of Happiness, Post Corona, and his latest book, which is called Adrift: America in 100 Charts. He's also the host of two podcasts, Prof. G. and Pivot. The latter, Pivot, which he co-hosts with the legendary tech reporter Kara Swisher.  In this episode we talk about: Why work is such a big factor in determining our mental health What’s the number one retention factor at work How capitalism pushes us towards living to work rather than the other way around  Why Galloway believes men’s sense of self-worth is so often (maybe too often) based on their ability to earn  Where he stands on the idea of “bringing your whole self to work” How to get over being fired His thoughts on side hustles, work/life balance and whether remote work will stick around post COVID  Why he says being in the office is important for young workers if they want to get ahead, especially young men Why, despite making a great living, he still has economic anxiety The rare moments when he is able to enjoy himself and say, “this is enough” His addiction to the approval of others  How Galloway handles his critics, while retaining his willingness to go out on a limb and be controversial Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/scott-galloway-573

13 Mars 202350min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- It’s hard not to like Lewis Howes. He’s extremely open about his personal struggles, from childhood trauma to romantic challenges, from family drama to failure and self-doubt. Lewis is a voracious learner, relentless in his pursuit of his interests–and he’ll bust his ass to get to the bottom of things in his own life. His main area of interest is what he calls greatness. He hosts a podcast, a very popular one, called The School of Greatness. He has spent many many years interviewing people who have excelled in all sorts of areas and has become a true student. Lewis now has a new book, called The Greatness Mindset, in which he shares what he’s learned via all of these interviews and his own personal work. In this episode we talk about: The source of Lewis’s interest in greatness The difference between a powerless mindset and a greatness mindset  The pernicious impact of self-doubt How to counter your inner critic via a ‘contract with yourself’  How to face your fears The importance of mission and purpose Where selfishness fits into finding your mission and purpose And we have a friendly debate about the law of attraction Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/lewis-howes-571

8 Mars 202353min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- There’s so much compelling research behind the notion of self compassion. Even though many of us think we need an internal cattle prod in order to retain our edge, research shows that people who have a supportive inner attitude — who have their own back — are more resilient and effective. Not to mention happier. And nicer. And yet, it is easy for skeptics to be turned off by some of the language and practices of self compassion. So today we brought in a guest who puts it in plain English, and is very funny.  Carla Naumburg PhD is a clinical social worker, author, and mother. She has a lot to say about self compassion, and she does so in a way that skeptics will find appealing.  One other note about Carla. A lot of her books are directed at parents, especially parents who are self critical. But this episode is aimed at everybody. We do talk a little bit about parenting at the end, but it’s not the main focus. Just so you have it, her books have titles such as: How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids and You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent. It’s common for parents to think they suck. It’s also common for humans to think we suck. That we are somehow terrible people. Sit back, relax, and let Carla disabuse you of that notion. In this episode we talk about: What Carla calls “shitty human syndrome” Asking ourselves, what do I need right now? How, for skeptics, the data on the effectiveness of compassion practices is a powerful incentive. The third arrow of denial and distraction The very human problem of not knowing how to deal with our feelings.   Using “noticing, connection, curiosity, and kindness” as ways to get super clear about the practice of self-compassion  Curiosity as the antidote to judgment How loving-kindness ties into the ability to treat ourselves with self-compassion. Kinder self-talk Practicing self-care by setting boundaries  Single tasking as a strategy for decreasing stress And, using acronyms like SNAFU and KISS as a simple way to quickly access complicated thoughts Content Warning: This episode contains explicit language. There is a clean version over on the TPH app and website.  Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/carla-naumburg-570

6 Mars 20231h 14min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- The human animal doesn’t love paradox. We love a clear, simple story. Us versus them. Good versus evil. But life is rarely like that. This is especially true when it comes to wrestling with history. Our guest today calls it the patriot’s dilemma. How do you love your country while also acknowledging the painful and horrifying stuff that has happened in the past? Dolly Chugh is a professor at the New York University Stern School of Business where she teaches MBA courses in leadership and management. This is her second time on the show. The last time she came on, she spoke about the concept of being “good-ish.” One of the reasons we get defensive when people criticize us is that we feel like it’s a threat to our precious notion of being a good person. But if you have a good-ish mindset, then there’s always room to grow. Her new book, A More Just Future, encourages us to do that for America. Content Warning: This episode includes brief mentions of slavery and violence. In this episode, we talked about: Why Dolly was scared to write this book What the home team bias is and how it shows up when we think about our past What belief grief is The “long time ago illusion” And, what Dolly calls being a gritty patriot  Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/dolly-chugh-568

1 Mars 202356min