Elissa Epel – Mind, Body, and Stress

Elissa Epel – Mind, Body, and Stress

Author: Mind & Life Institute March 9, 2023 Duration: 1:04:48
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative health psychologist and stress researcher Elissa Epel. Elissa studies how mindfulness, meditation retreats, and breathing techniques can help buffer stress processes, biological aging, and promote both physical and mental health. This conversation covers many topics, including: her early roots of interest in the mind-body connection; bringing contemplation into health and stress psychology research; two key aspects of stress; learning to deal with uncertainty; uncertainty in the body; acute vs. chronic stress response; why we might want to intentionally induce acute stress to boost our health; cell aging systems (telomeres); contemplative practices as a way to reduce stress; how our minds influence our cells; the concept of cellular safety; rest, retreat, and vacation; how contemplative benefits can transfer to the next generation; what it means to have a sensitive nervous system; and the importance of focusing on joy and gratitude. Full show notes and resources

At the heart of Mind & Life is a simple, profound question: what is a mind, really? This isn't just a philosophical puzzle but a practical exploration of the mental habits that define our days. The conversations hosted by the Mind & Life Institute gently dismantle the walls between disciplines, weaving together insights from neuroscience and psychology with the lived wisdom of contemplative traditions. You’ll hear dialogues that feel less like interviews and more like shared discoveries, where a philosopher and a meditation teacher might find common ground on how attention works, or where a scientist discusses the social impact of compassion training. Each episode is an invitation to look inward with curiosity, examining how practices like meditation aren't about escape but about engaging with our inner world more skillfully. This podcast operates from the conviction that understanding our own minds is foundational to addressing broader cultural and societal challenges. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the mechanics of their own thoughts and emotions and sought a deeper, evidence-informed conversation about transformation. Tune in for a thoughtful blend of rigorous inquiry and personal relevance, where ancient questions meet modern investigation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

Mind & Life
Podcast Episodes
Willoughby Britton - When Meditation Causes Harm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:46
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist and meditation researcher, Willoughby Britton. Willoughby is a pioneer in contemplative research and one of the only people dedicated to understanding the possible…
Nicholas Van Dam - Nuancing the Narrative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:35
In this episode, Wendy speaks with meditation researcher and clinical psychologist, Nicholas Van Dam. Nicholas is the Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne—the first such center in A…
Rhonda Magee - Mindfulness, Interconnection, and Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:57
In this episode, Wendy speaks with law professor, author, and meditation teacher, Rhonda Magee. Rhonda's work has focused on bringing contemplative approaches into the practice of law, and the fight for social justice. T…
Jon Kabat-Zinn - The Heart of Mindfulness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:31
We're back with Season 3 of the show, starting with renowned meditation teacher, author, and creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Jon Kabat-Zinn. This spacious and personal conversation is full of insigh…
Vandana Shiva - Earth Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
In this bonus episode, we're sharing a special presentation from environmentalist, physicist, and eco-feminist Vandana Shiva. This session is from our Summer Research Institute, held in June of this year, entitled The Mi…
David Sloan Wilson - Conscious Evolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:48
In this bonus episode, Wendy speaks with evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson. This episode is being released in conjunction with Mind & Life's new film, Evolution of the Heart — a short documentary covering convers…
Dekila Chungyalpa - Human-Earth Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:20
In this episode, Wendy speaks with environmentalist Dekila Chungyalpa about her views of nature, the climate crisis, and her unique collaborations with faith leaders. Their conversation covers many topics, including: gro…
Peter Wayne - Ecology of Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:02
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical researcher Peter Wayne about his work on mind-body and movement-based interventions like tai chi. Their conversation covers many topics, including: how a background in ecology…
Mingyur Rinpoche - Awareness, Compassion, and Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Tibetan Buddhist teacher Mingyur Rinpoche about how contemplative practice can lead us to awareness, compassion, and wisdom. Their conversation covers many topics, including: his involv…
Buju Dasgupta - Social Context & Implicit Bias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
In this episode, Wendy speaks with social psychologist Buju Dasgupta about her work on implicit bias, and the role of social context in shaping the mind. Their conversation covers many topics, including: her path to merg…