What changes when anxiety shows up—and you stop trying to outrun it, and start learning how to work with it?

Dan Harris—journalist, bestselling author, and host of 10% Happier—returns to Finding Mastery to explore practical ways to work with anxiety. Dan unpacks how meditation, compassionate self-talk, and exposure built his capacity after a panic attack on live TV—and why curiosity is a powerful antidote to fear.

Dan and Dr. Mike go beyond optimization into the human side: rebuilding from collapse, confronting panic (on planes, elevators, and big stages), and the daily reps that make composure more accessible. This is a grounded look at attention, identity, and training your inner life—without hacks or magical thinking.

What you’ll learn

How to use meditation as “bicep curls for the brain”
Why self-talk (especially in third person) regulates panic in real time
The key to working at your edge without traumatizing yourself
How to turn exposure into confidence and capacity
Why curiosity beats cynicism for mental performance

At its heart, this episode is a reminder: mastery isn’t a shortcut; it’s alignment between awareness, training, and what matters most.

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Links & Resources

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How To Stay Calm Under Stress | Dan Harris

Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais