For episode 297, Sharon sits down with Chris Germer to discuss his new book, Self-Compassion for Shame.

Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of several books including Self-Compassion for Burnout, co-authored with Dr. Kristin Neff. His new book, Self-Compassion for Shame: A Step-by-Step Guide to Inner Freedom was just released in September of 2026 from The Guilford Press. Chris lectures and leads workshops internationally and has a small psychotherapy practice in Massachusetts. This is his first appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast.

In this conversation, Sharon and Chris speak about:

• Chris’s early interest in psychology
• Learning meditation in the seventies
• Contemplative practice with psychology
• How Chris came to self-compassion
• Sharon’s influence in Chris’s path
• How loving-kindness changed Chris’s life
• Chris’s public speaking anxiety
• Sharon’s experience with public speaking
• How Chris became aware of his own shame
• Shame is an attack on the sense of self
• Shame compared to similar emotions and traits
• How we can learn to recognize shame
• How the new book is organized
• When shame can be helpful
• Dr Kristin Neff’s model of self-compassion
• Welcoming all parts of ourselves
• Taking responsibility for our shame
• Lean in, lean back, or let go
• Non-striving and non-fixing in self-compassion
• Self-compassion is the end of the struggle
• How Chris approaches his therapy practice

Additional Resources:

The episode closes with Chris leading a guided meditation on self-compassion for shame. You can learn more about Chris’s work right here.

Related Metta Hour Episodes:

Episode 252 Dr. Kristin Neff’s most recent appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2024.

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For episode 296 Tim Desmond returns to the Metta Hour to discuss his new book series with Sharon.

Tim Desmond is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Antioch University, and student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hạnh, under whom he was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2005. Founder of Peer Collective, and co-founder of Morning Sun Mindfulness Center, Tim lives in Oakland, CA, and teaches mindfulness and self-compassion practices to audiences around the world. He is the author of several books including Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma, and Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression, released by W. W. Norton & Company in 2026, and the forthcoming Buddhist Practices for Calming Anxiety. This is Tim’s second appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast.

In this conversation, Sharon and Tim speak about:

• Tim’s new book series

• Buddhism for mental health

• Right and wrong mindfulness

• Thich Nhat Hanh’s influence on Tim’s teaching

• Buddhist Practices for Healing Trauma book

• The “whole path” approach to mental health

• The mind as the garden for working with trauma

• What trauma-informed practice is

• The better way to catch a snake

• The Doors of Liberation teachings for trauma

• Buddhist Practices for Overcoming Depression book

• The role of Faith in working with depression

• Cultivating the motivation/energy for healing

• The self-sabotaging aspect of depression

• Self-understanding is loving awareness

• What offers resilience in the face of suffering

• Thich Nhat Hanh’s Froglessness teaching

• An update on Peer Collective

Additional Resources

The episode closes with a guided meditation from Tim. You can learn more about Tim’s work right here and learn about Peer Collective right here.

Related Metta Hour Episodes

Episode 194 Tim Desmond’s first appearance on the Metta Hour, released in 2021.

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Caverly Morgan joins Sharon for episode 295 of the Metta Hour Podcast to talk about her book, The Heart of Who We Are.

Caverly Morgan is a teacher of awakening, nonprofit founder, speaker, and author who blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual and relational approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Caverly supports others in remembering our true nature—not through more techniques or self-improvement strategies, but through presence, inquiry, and togetherness. The Heart of Who We Are was released in 2022 from St. Martin's Essentials. Her other book, A Kids Book About Mindfulness, was released in 2024. She is a founder of the nonprofits Peace in Schools and Realizing Freedom Together, and has pioneered ways for communities to awaken collectively, making teachings that lead to liberation accessible to all. This is Caverly’s first appearance on the Metta Hour Podcast.

In this conversation, Caverly and Sharon speak about:

• What drew Caverly to the dharma
• Her eight years in a Zen monastery
• Going from monastic life to teaching youth
• Caverly’s definitions of Zen and non-duality
• Being aware of awareness itself
• The shadows of any practice
• The practice of inquiry and togetherness
• What inspired the book, The Heart of Who We Are
• The CARE framework
• What self-compassion offers
• Caverly’s work with Dr. Kristin Neff
• How personal practice impacts others
• Mindfulness with young kids
• The Realizing Freedom Together nonprofit

Additional Resources:

The episode closes with a guided meditation from Caverly. You can learn more about Caverly’s work right here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.