The Wise Effort Show

Our worldview shapes our perceptions and actions towards each other and the world around us. In this special Earth Day episode, Diana Hill talks with Four Arrows and Darcia Narvaez about the core precepts of an indigenous worldview. Together these precepts can guide us to live more harmoniously with each other and the earth. We explore the indigenous worldview’s emphasis on community welfare, resp...

Shame is a universal experience, but according to Dr. Marcela Matos’s research, it can be mitigated with compassion. In this episode, Dr. Marcela Matos shares her research on shame, common fears of self-compassion, and how to grow your compassionate mind to navigate life’s inevitable stressors better. Dr. Matos also guides us through a compassionate mind training and shares how she is applying her...

Sonya Looney wears many impressive hats. She’s a world-champion mountain bike racer, an international speaker and coach, a mom of two, and my new friend! In this episode, we talk about how to show up as working moms, the importance of balancing values and strengths, competition and collaboration, values-based eating, and strategies we’ve used in building our friendship. You are going to love this...

According to Jai Uttal, singing enlivens the heart and the power of kirtan can uplift us and inspire us. Psychological science supports this sentiment with research showing that when you sing in a group it benefits your mood, reduces stress, and stimulates your vagus nerve. In this episode, Diana talks with Grammy-nominated Kirtan singer, Jai Uttal about the power of this ancient form of Bhakti yo...

According to organizational psychologist Dr. Mike Rucker, “happiness is a state of mind, but fun is something you can do.” Many of us have put fun habits to the side as we pursue our careers, parenting, and daily to-dos. In this episode, Dr. Rucker and Diana Hill talk about how to increase activities that bring you vitality and pleasure so that you can make fun an actionable and natural habit in y...

Psychological well-being and physical health are not separate. Your relationships, values, and strengths can help you heal physically and grow emotionally. In this episode, Dr. Jordyn Feingold introduces the concept of Positive Medicine, which supports doctors in integrating positive psychology interventions into their medical practice. Her REVAMP model highlights relationships, engagement, vitali...

The teenage years are an exciting time of development. Teens are exploring their relationship values, sexual identity, and sense of self-worth. In this episode, Diana talks with social workers Leah Aguirre and Geraldine O’Sullivan about how caregivers, parents, and therapists can best support teens in consent, sexuality, body image, and healthy communication. Related Resources Get enhanced show no...

According to Rick Hanson, there are things we can do every day to make our romantic relationships better. Whether you are looking for a new relationship or have been in one for decades, relationships take wise effort. In this episode, Dr. Rick Hanson shares about the early days with his wife, what worked to get them started and what keeps them going. There are things you can do that are authentic,...

Paradoxes are everywhere and natural and part of living a nuanced life. Often we limit ourselves by trying to fix paradoxes with Either/Or thinking. With Both/And Thinking we can move beyond duality into innovative, creative, and integrative solutions by reframing our questions and rethinking outcomes. In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Marianne Lewis explore paradoxes in our relationships, o...

This is a Bonus episode that accompanies  Episode #54 Feed Your Inner Demons with Lama Tsultrim Allione . I suggest you listen to episode #54 first before listening to the bonus meditation. In this Bonus episode, you'll do a Meditation In Feeding Your Inner Demons guided by Lama Tsultrim Allione. Related Resources Get enhanced show notes for this episode Become a Wise Effort Community member...

We all have inner “demons” that we wish we could get rid of such as jealousy, anger, anxiety, addictions, and feelings of not being good enough. What would happen if instead of fighting your demons you asked them what they really need? How can you transform your inner demons into allies? In this out-of-the-box episode, Lama Tulstrim Allione describes the meditation practice of Feeding Your Demons...

The Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest scientific study of happiness and health that's ever been conducted. The results? Strong relationships make you feel better and live longer. Dr. Diana Hill sits down with psychiatrist and Zen priest Dr. Robert Waldinger to discuss his research findings and strategies you can use to make your friendships, partnerships, work relationships, and ev...

According to neuropharmacology professor Dr. David Nutt, you must think before you drink. In this fascinating interview, Dr. Nutt takes a science-based look at drinking to unpack what happens in your brain and body when you drink and why you should reconsider your alcohol use. Learn the impact of alcohol on your neurotransmitters, microbiome, and hormones, the best way to drink if you choose to, a...

According to Dr. Stephen Porges, Polyvagal theory is about the science of safety and the biology of trust. Your physiology impacts your behavior more than you think and when you feel safe, you are better able to connect with others, be bold, and be free to be yourself. In this episode, Dr. Porges and Diana Hill explore everything from how the pandemic re-tuned our nervous systems, to the intersect...

We think a lot about changing our eating habits, drinking habits and exercise habits. But what about our mental habits? If you are stuck in habits of self-criticism, avoidance, worrying, or resisting what is, you won’t get very far on your New Year’s goals. In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill takes a fresh perspective on habit change by exploring 5 science-backed mental habits that will make your...

This episode is an extra special one! One of Diana’s best friends, Dr. Alexis Karris Bachik joins her to reflect on the New Year. Together they explore what values they lived out in 2022, their health routines, difficulties with letting go, and the behind-the-scenes of their friendship, book writing, and more! Related Resources Get enhanced show notes for this episode Become a Wise Effort Communit...

We are all swimming in a sea of stress. In this episode, world expert on aging and stress Dr. Elissa Epel discussed the impact of stress on our telomeres, mitochondria, and cell aging and evidence-based strategies to stress better. We explore 7 practices to build stress resilience including the benefits of Wim Hof breathing, cold exposure, retreats, and mindset. You can’t eliminate stress, but you...

Many of us think about grief as what happens when someone we love dies, but we grieve so much more than that. We have little losses every day–our bodies age, our relationships change, and our planet suffers. This week on the podcast, Francis Weller shares the five gates of grief that all humans walk through and offers us insights into how ritual, community, and compassion can be resources in our a...

More time doesn’t always equal more happiness. It’s how you use your time that matters when it comes to life satisfaction and fulfillment. In this episode, Diana talks with Dr. Cassie Holmes about how you can expand your time and focus on what matters most with the time that you have. We explore three practices that will help you take perspective on time, and use it more wisely. Related Resources...

Being an advocate, ally or accomplice for social justice is an ongoing process that at times is uncomfortable. This week, on the podcast, Dr. Karen Suyemoto, Dr. Roxanne Donovan, and Dr. Grace Kim encourage us to unravel some of our assumptions about race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, class, and ability. You will take perspective on your intersecting identities, learn about the messines of taking...

How can you face holiday stressors without falling back into old habits? How can you make your holidays meaningful and connected? In this episode, psychologist Dr. Diana Hill teaches you science-backed, practical tools from Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) and compassion to survive and thrive this holiday season. Related Resources Get enhanced show notes for this episode Become a Wise Effo...

Are you physically exhausted, checked out at work, or feeling like your performance is declining? You may be burned out. In this episode, Diana Hill talks with the world’s leading expert on occupational burnout, Dr. Christina Maslach, about 6 key mismatches that contribute to workplace burnout. Listen in to learn why you are burned out, and what you and your organization can do to help. Related Re...

We are facing an epidemic of burnout. Healthcare providers, teachers, caregivers, and service providers are exhausted, feeling detached, and seeing their performance decline. Short-term solutions to treating burnout don’t work. In this episode, Dr. Jud and Diana Hill explore the link between anxiety and burnout and 5 common habit loops that keep you stuck in burnout cycles. Burnout is both an indi...

Having strong relationships with your kids is the best thing you can do for their mental health. One way to build that relationship is through having conversations with your kids. Talking with children, not at them, builds their empathy, problem-solving, confidence, joy, creativity, and social skills. This week Diana Hill and Rebecca Rolland explore 8 types of conversations parents and caregivers...

Whether we like it or not, we are always changing. To evolve for the better we need to learn how to accept and harness change. In this episode, Dr. Joseph Ciarrochi, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy researcher and co-author of the book What Makes You Stronger shares with us common reasons why we avoid change and Process-based strategies to shift our minds, sense of self, and behavior. Dr. Ciarroc...