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Practical advice from a straight-talking former criminal and occasionally profane Dharma teacher. Vinny Ferarro has practiced insight meditation (vipassanā) since the mid-90s. He's the Guiding Teacher of the Big Heart City Sangha in San Francisco and has led a weekly sitting group for almost two decades. As a fully empowered Dharma Teacher through Spirit Rock/IMS, he has taught residential retreats at various centers and currently leads Spirit Rock's Year to Live course. This episode originally dropped in May of 2024, but we're re-posting it because it was one of our most successful episodes. In this episode we talk about: Alignment Vinny's concept of "flashing your basic goodness" Noting practice The deep satisfaction in not seeking satisfaction Redirecting awareness Being an "empathetic witness" for yourself When to opt for distraction Not taking what's not yours Vinny's ancestor practice What is the connection between seeing our family patterns and not taking what is not ours? How loyal have we been to our suffering? Related Episodes: How To Be Okay No Matter What | Kamala Masters Vitamin E: How To Cultivate Equanimity Amidst Political Chaos | Roshi Joan Halifax Non-Preachy Ethics | Jozen Tamori Gibson Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Thanks to our sponsors: LinkedIn: Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get a $250 credit for the next one. Just go to linkedin.com/happier. Tonal: Go to tonal.com and use the promo code Happier for $200 off your purchase. Cozy Earth: Go to cozyearth.com/HARRIS for up to 20% off! To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Peek analyzes lingering inflation, noting consumer resistance to price hikes and hope that AI productivity will help companies improve margins without increasing costs further.JANUARY 1931
Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Peek discusses Trump's nomination of hawk Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chairman, noting the immediate drop in precious metals and potential monetary policy shifts.1905 BUTTE MONTANA
Guest: Judy Dempsey. Dempsey analyzes the stalemated Ukraine conflict, noting European refusal to accept Russianvictory, while discussing rising tensions and internal political divisions within Iran.1895 KRAKOW
Guest: Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg details Starmer's unpopularity and lack of economic agenda, noting potential leadership challenges within the Labour Party from rivals like Burnham and Streeting.1808 GREST HSLL BSNK OF ENGLAND
Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley analyzes new talks involving Turkey and the UAE, noting U.S. reluctance to support Iranian civil society leaves the clerical regime breathing room despite weakness.1890 ALEPPO
Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley observes Russia targeting Ukrainian infrastructure to pressure the public, noting that despite Western support, Moscow retains the upper hand while demanding territorial concessions.1941 UKRAINE
Jessica Pierce and Mark Bekoff explain that without humans, dogs will likely adopt communal parenting strategies and reduced reproductive cycles to maximize survival, noting dogs already possess latent social skills for conflict resolution with lifespans stabilizing around eight years like wild wolves.1861 DUNDRUM HOUSE. LORD HAWARDEN AND SPRINGER
Jessica Pierce and Mark Bekoff discuss whether dogs will see themselves as apex predators or ecosystem participants, noting pack behavior may mirror wolves if hunting large prey while dogs retain their distinct genetic history, concluding that this experiment teaches humans to view dogs as individuals.1900 ENGLISH SPRINGERS, HUNTING
Guest: Dan Flores. Flores critiques 19th-century explorers, noting how Lewis and Clark needlessly slaughtered grizzlies and how Audubon, though later regretful, killed birds to capture their likenesses.1873 VULTURE BISON
Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio describe the war as a slow boil, noting Phase 2 of the Gaza ceasefire is stalling because Hamas refuses to disarm or surrender heavy weapons to Israel.1898 GAZA
Edmund Fitton Brown and Bill Roggio argue Saudi Arabia's refusal to allow airspace use for strikes on Iran is theatrical to avoid Iranian retaliation, noting Riyadh privately remains a dependable US partner.1890 TEHRAN
Sean McMeekin discusses Molotov's 1940 Berlin visit, noting Stalin's brazen demands for influence in Bulgaria and Turkey caused talks to collapse, prompting Hitler to plan Operation Barbarossa, while Roosevelt began lifting moral embargoes anticipating a German-Soviet clash.1931 STALIN AND BERIA
Peter Stansky attributes the pessimism in 1984 to Orwell's belief that leaders prioritize power over revolutionary goals, though he remained optimistic about the English people, noting the novel's enduring relevance regarding modern technology and political disinformation.1951
Peter Stansky attributes the pessimism in 1984 to Orwell's belief that leaders prioritize power over revolutionary goals, though he remained optimistic about the English people, noting the novel's enduring relevance regarding modern technology, political disinformation, and its historical use as a Cold War cultural document.1899 LITTLE RUSSIA
Everitt and Ashworth cover Nero's first five years under Seneca and Burrus, noting how Agrippina's death liberated his artistic pursuits while paranoia drove the elimination of rivals including his wife Octavia and stoic aristocrats.
Everitt and Ashworth review primary sources shaping Nero's legacy, distinguishing gossip-laden Suetonius from hostile but reliable Tacitus, while noting Petronius of the Satyricon and Pliny the Elder's anecdotal encyclopedia.NERO
Jeff Bliss reports heavy Sierra snowpack is quenching California's thirst, also noting the seventy-fifth anniversary of Nevada atomic tests and new Las Vegas rail options connecting the desert city.
5. Jim McTague McTague reports on Lancaster County's frozen yet resilient economy, noting full factory order books and labor shortages despite the cold weather currently suppressing human activity,,.1900 Erie Railroad
Cleo Paskal reports from Yap on China constructing a strategic runway on the island of Woleai to gain influence, noting the United States lacks a necessary physical presence in Micronesia.1888 Cook monument
Cleo Paskal details Chinese influence patterns, including weaponized healthcare in the Solomons and casinos in Saipan, while noting new US efforts to support Palau's sovereignty against destabilization.1870 COOK MONUMENT
Guest: Michael Toth. The segment focuses on California's strategy to empower the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies for rising insurance premiums. Toth argues these lawsuits are politically motivated and legally weak, noting that even insurance companies refuse to sue because attributing specific damages or deaths to corporate emissions is factually difficult.UNDATED
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Henry Sokolski. Sokolski explains a three-stage strategy to disable enemies via information warfare and alliance disruption, noting U.S. military containment strategies remain outdated.1930
Guest: Veronique de Rugy. De Rugy of the Mercatus Center examines the failure of Georgia's film tax credits, noting that productions eventually moved to cheaper locations despite billions in subsidies. She compares this to federal industrial policies like tariffs and Intel subsidies, arguing that government attempts to "pick winners" rarely produce sustainable economic results.1951 JACK DEMPSEY AND MAMIE VAN DOREN
Simon Constable reports from temperate France with commodities analysis, noting copper and gold trading dear as industrial demand and safe-haven buying drive precious and base metals prices higher.
Leila Philip describes observing a local beaver pond, noting how these animals create wetlands that act as the "coral reefs of North America" by supporting immense biodiversity. She also recounts the Algonquin legend of the Great Beaver, a story that explains geological formations while serving as an environmental parable against resource hoarding and greed.
Bill Roggio Roggio characterizes Western policy as an "absolute mess," arguing the US has conceded safe havens to jihadists in both Afghanistan and Syria. He criticizes the normalization of Ahmed al-Shara, noting that al-Shara never denounced his oath of allegiance to Al-Qaeda, yet is being treated as a potential partner. Roggio warns that while the US focuses on the Islamic State, jihadists are on a rampage across Africa and Syria, capitalizing on the strategic failures of multiple US administrations.1935 Abyssinians
FILE 5. OPERATION BARBAROSSA AND THE DEFENSE OF MOSCOW. GUEST AUTHOR SEAN MCMEEKIN. McMeekin challenges the narrative that Stalin suffered a nervous breakdown during the 1941 German invasion, noting the dictator remained active despite the shock. The segment details how Stalin's decision to stay in Moscow stiffened morale and reveals that Stalin possessed, but did not share, intelligence regarding Japan's impending attacks on Western powers,.
An interesting immigration statistical comparison between Trump in 2025 and Obama in 2012.Citing the limited resources available for immigration enforcement and the impossibility of deporting 11 million undocumented people, the Obama administration sought to prioritize the use of the agency's enforcement personnel, detention space, and removal assets. Noting that ICE could only remove an estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants a year at most, representing less than 4% of the undocumented population in the U.S. during that time, the administration sought to channel limited resources towards more urgent threats. In a set of 2010 and 2011 memoranda from then-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, the Obama administration created three categories of undocumented immigrants that would be prioritized for arrest and deportation. The first priority consisted of undocumented immigrants who posed a threat to national security or public safety, including those engaged in or suspected of terrorism or espionage, those convicted of a crime or possessing outstanding criminal warrants, or those who participated in organized criminal gang activity. Within this priority category, ICE would draw distinctions based on the severity of convictions: level 1 offenders were convicted of aggravated felonies, level 2 offenders were convicted of any felony, and level 3 offenders were convicted of a misdemeanor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY: INDIA'S STALLED REFORMS Guest: Sadanand Dhume (Wall Street Journal) Dhume discusses disappointment with Prime Minister Modi's cautious third term, noting India's growth remains hindered by socialist-era labor laws. Although Modi raised worker thresholds, the textile industry lost competitiveness to Bangladesh and Vietnam. The political challenge of enacting business-friendly reforms without electoral consequences remains unsolved.1930 BOMBAY
An interesting immigration statistical comparison between Trump in 2025 and Obama in 2012.Citing the limited resources available for immigration enforcement and the impossibility of deporting 11 million undocumented people, the Obama administration sought to prioritize the use of the agency's enforcement personnel, detention space, and removal assets. Noting that ICE could only remove an estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants a year at most, representing less than 4% of the undocumented population in the U.S. during that time, the administration sought to channel limited resources towards more urgent threats. In a set of 2010 and 2011 memoranda from then-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, the Obama administration created three categories of undocumented immigrants that would be prioritized for arrest and deportation. The first priority consisted of undocumented immigrants who posed a threat to national security or public safety, including those engaged in or suspected of terrorism or espionage, those convicted of a crime or possessing outstanding criminal warrants, or those who participated in organized criminal gang activity. Within this priority category, ICE would draw distinctions based on the severity of convictions: level 1 offenders were convicted of aggravated felonies, level 2 offenders were convicted of any felony, and level 3 offenders were convicted of a misdemeanor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
GUEST: Charles Burton. SUMMARY: Burton analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's ambitious goal to double Canada's non-US trade within a decade to offset American trade difficulties. He argues this pivot to China is unlikely to succeed, noting that Canada's current trade with China is less than 5%, compared to roughly 67% with the United States.1910 OTTAWA
GUEST: Jim Fanell. SUMMARY: Fanell criticizes the UK's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius due to Chinese influence concerns. He highlights the strategic necessity of the Diego Garcia base for US bombers and carriers, noting that President Trump's opposition to the deal is bolstering critics within the UK government.1901
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Professor Richard Carwardine. Carwardine argues Lincoln's first fast day in 1861 was successful, noting the President subsequently called additional fast days. Lincoln utilized these events and open-door meetings with denominational leaders to connect with religious groups, learn from them, and prepare public sentiment for major decisions like emancipation.1861 LINCOLN'S GENERALS
HEADLINE: Strategic Vulnerabilities and the Path to a 456-Ship Fleet GUEST AUTHOR: Jerry HendrixSUMMARY: Hendrix identifies critical economic vulnerabilities in China and Russia, noting that both regimes rely heavily on sea lanes for energy and food, making them susceptible to naval interdiction. To maintain deterrence, he proposes a future fleet of 456 ships. This expansion relies on a pivot to unmanned surface vessels to control costs and the addition of 60 frigates for global presence. Hendrix also warns that the Navy must urgently replace retiring guided-missile submarines and expand the logistics force, as combatant ships cannot operate effectively without a robust train of supply vessels.1888 NAVAL GUN
Ricardo Gómez-Carrera, a research economist at the World Inequality Lab and co-editor of the 2026 World Inequality Report, discusses his research on the benefits of early schooling and how early human capital investment closes the “inequality gap” and the effects of such research within current Mexican educational policy. Focusing on the finding of this year's World Inequality Report, Gómez-Carrera elaborates on the increasing wealth disparities on a global scale such that wealth is becoming even more concentrated, as demonstrated by the fact that the top 10% earn 53% of the global income, “the top 10% own three-quarters of global wealth, while the bottom half holds only 2%,” and, for the top .001%, the distribution of wealth growth is as high as 8% per year. Gómez-Carrera argues that if we don't address inequality, only the privileged will have rights, opportunities, assets, and control over politics. Ultimately, even if 90% or 99% of the population are paying their taxes and contributing to society, the top 1% maintain a disproportionate influence over politics and access to opportunities, which in turn influences the decisions that ensure they maintain their privilege. While power, as Gómez-Carrera clarifies, is becoming more and more concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, the negative effects of such power, such as ecological damage, will be felt disproportionately by the poor, as they are more vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, despite their contributing less to this damage. Examining one of the more surprising aspects of the 2016 World Inequality Report, he notes how the top .001% increased in their charitable donations since 1960, a gesture which moves the wealthy beyond strictly economic realms of power. Noting how the economic patterns suggest a rising top-end inequality, Gómez-Carrera claims that this not only translates into ideological capture and unequal influence over philanthropy and politics, but it invariably translates into public policy, law, campaigning, and, invariably, political choices, or lack thereof. Get full access to Savage Minds at savageminds.substack.com/subscribe
On this week's episode of History From The Backpages, Collin analyzes the 1944 supernatural horror film The Uninvited, directed by Lewis Allen and starring Ray Milland, Gail Russell, Donald Crisp, and Ruth Hussey. Noting the film's iconic song Stella By Starlight, which was later covered by Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.
AUSTRALIA RETAINS ASHES VICTORY AS ENGLAND'S BAZBALL STRATEGY FAILS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis discusses Australia's humble celebration after winning the 2026 Ashes series 4-1, noting that England'saggressive "Bazball" strategy was deemed fundamentally flawed by cricket chiefs. While Australia's bowling remains a focus for improvement, captain Pat Cummins has recovered from injury to continue leading the team.1937
ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11October 1957
Asking for Good: Fundraisers help you launch your Nonprofit Career
In this episode we're joined by Todd Pooser, author of A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity and founder of The Virtual Commonwealth. Listen in to hear the scientific justification for the foundations of our work to create an equitable and sustainable society. Job seekers may use these frameworks as they evaluate the work and the approach of potential employers. As we aim to solve intractable problems we need more than opinion, we have scientific models, derived from living systems, that can guide us. Todd uses General Systems Theory to answer this big question: What's the elegant solution that solves all of our inextricably entwined problems?To discover the solution we need to recognize our interdependence and interconnectedness. Then we have 2 sets of 3 rules to follow. 3 Rules of Systems-Based EthicsHuman Health and Environmental Health are One and the SameThere is No Such Thing As ThemIt's Bigger than Physical Things. We have non-material needs. 3 Rules of a Systems-Based Social Contract Establish a Physical Steady StateCreate central mandates while preserving the individual's right to chooseReconcile Price and CostWe use a discussion of Congestion Pricing as a policy that reconciles price and cost. Noting that there is a 0% chance of political systems creating the ideal situation, Todd introduces The Virtual Commonwealth which is a model for collective action where individuals form investing and purchasing communities because throwing our financial weight behind our beliefs is as critical as our voting weight is to our democracy.About the Guest:Todd Pooser is the founder and CEO of the Virtual Commonwealth. Todd's book, A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity, uses cross-disciplinary science to formulate “The Plan” – a series of social policies that if enacted, will enable humanity to live in the best possible world given the conditions of our existence. The Virtual Commonwealth is the commercial application of the concepts advanced in the book, which has been published by Emerald Publishing as part of a series on sustainability and social equity. As COO of an Ad Tech startup, Todd has raised $9M from both public companies and high net worth individuals.
He then showed a video of "delusional" Trump signing the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act -- which allows schools nationwide to sell whole and 2 percent milk, reversing Obama-era rules that limited sales to fat-free and low-fat milk. It's actually a legal definition -- whole milk -- and it's whole with a 'w' for those of you that have a problem," the Republican leader explained during the now-viral clip. Noting that Trump had appeared to fall asleep as his staffers waxed on the merits of milk, Kimmel added, "So then after a nice glass of warm milk that was on his desk for five days, it was time for a little nap."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
The Futility of Canadian-Chinese Trade DiplomacyPREVIEW FOR LATER: GUEST CHARLES BURTON. Charles Burton critiques Mark Carney's trade mission to Beijing, noting it mirrors past failures. Despite attempts to ignore human rights to boost trade, historical precedent shows Canada's market share declined under similar strategies. This mission aims to offset tariff uncertainties and Trump-era trade pressures.1945 US NAVY HUANGPU RIVER, SHANGHAI
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Brandon Weichert. Weichert analyzes how Iranian turmoil affects Shaheddrone production, noting that Russia has already moved toward domestic manufacturing. He suggests that the disruption of Starlink in Iran is not accidental but reflects Russia and China testing anti-Starlink weapon systems, using the Iranian conflict as a strategic testing ground.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY AND THE EVOLUTION OF UKRAINIAN IDENTITY Colleague Professor Eugene Finkel. Finkel profiles Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting his background as a Russian-speaking Jewish media entrepreneur and comedian who built a career in Moscow. Zelenskyy's rise illustrates a shift in Ukrainian identity from ethnic definitions to a civic nationalism based on loyalty to the state. Elected as an outsider to replace failed politicians, Zelenskyy initially hoped his background and communication skills would allow him to negotiate peace with Putin. His presidency challenged Russian propaganda painting Ukrainian nationalists as extremists, representing instead a diverse, modern nation unified by political commitment rather than language. NUMBER 61900 LVIV
THE CHUTE SHOW AND HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT Colleague Eric Berger. Berger discusses the Commercial Crew Program, noting that while Boeing's participation legitimized the effort for Congress, SpaceX ultimately led the way. The development of the Crew Dragon involved the "Chute Show," a team camping in the desert to iteratively test parachutes. Despite the "smooth" public image of NASA missions, Berger points out the inherent risks, such as launching near tornadoes during the first crewed attempt. The segment culminates in the success of the "Block 5" Falcon 9, an optimized rocket designed for rapid turnaround, with individual boosters now capable of flying up to 20 times. NUMBER 71920 THUVIA MAID OF MARS
Guest: Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg analyzes the recent U.S. invasion of Venezuela, noting that while the event disrupted predictions, its global significance ultimately depends on the subsequent U.S. decisions regarding regime support and governance in Caracas. Turning to domestic politics, Sternberg predicts the 2026 midterms will be unusually significant as both parties face internal identity crises, with Democrats torn between centrist and socialist wings and Republicans struggling to define their future path as the Trump era eventually concludes.1900 Venezuela
PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Peek discusses the massive potential of Venezuelan oil reserves, which dwarf Saudi Arabia's, noting that rising global energy demand makes them a major prize for U.S.companies. Despite the political risks inherent in South America, she argues the industry must utilize Venezuela'sresources to meet insatiable energy needs.1898 CARACAS
RAVENS BEFRIEND DALLAS AND DISPLACE THE COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis updates the backyard wildlife saga, noting the arrival of intelligent Ravens that have befriended his dog, Dallas. Unlike the aggressive Cockatoos that damaged a neighbor's roof, the Ravens displayed strategic dominance by organizedly displacing the Cockatoos from a pine tree. Zakis describes the Ravens' "surgical" approach, using vocal harassment and gradual escalation rather than brute force to claim the territory. He observes that while the Cockatoos still lurk, the Ravens have established control. Additionally, he counts at least five Magpie families in the area, with several actively visiting his property to interact with Dallas.
THE FINAL ASHES TEST IN SYDNEY AND THE FUTURE OF TEST CRICKET Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Jeremy Zakis discusses the final Ashes test in Sydney, noting that heavy storms threaten to wash out the match, potentially handing England a "moral victory" if they perform well before the rain hits. He observes that Englandsurprised him by employing a hybrid strategy—mixing conservative play with their aggressive "Bazball" style—which allowed them to accelerate strategically. Conversely, Zakis notes that Australia stuck to a conservative tempo and failed to counter England's aggression quickly enough, causing their run rate to lag. He views this final game as a glimpse into the future of test cricket, anticipating Australia might test younger players or T20-style tactics.
MCNAMARA'S ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE AND PERSONAL DRIVE Colleague William Taubman. Taubmandetails McNamara's academic brilliance, noting his induction into Phi Beta Kappa at Berkeley and his status as the top student at Harvard Business School, where he sought to combine business with public service. His drive was shaped by a cold father and a mother who pushed him relentlessly to excel, while his wife Margie provided the emotional warmth and cheerfulness his own personality lacked. Despite his intellect, a 1939 trip to Europe, where he witnessed Hitlerspeak, left him surprisingly unaware of the imminent outbreak of war. NUMBER 2 1910