DeepSummary
In this episode, host Dan Harris interviews actor Ted Danson about his meditation practice, marriage, dealing with grief, finding joy, and a wild story involving taking mushrooms with his Cheers co-stars. Danson discusses his dilettante approach to meditation, though he values practices that keep him present and grateful. He shares insights from his marriage to Mary Steenburgen, including how she helps ground him and their commitment to self-examination.
Danson reflects on his mother's conscious decision to die at home, which led him to realize the limits of his spiritual beliefs in the face of death. He talks about finding joy through nurturing others and not taking life too seriously. The interview also touches on Danson's role in The Good Place and how the show explored ethics in an entertaining way.
Perhaps the most entertaining anecdote is when Danson recounts the time he and his Cheers co-stars, including Woody Harrelson, skipped work to go on a boat trip where they took mushrooms. Danson had a terrible experience, struggling to even remember to breathe, while Harrelson seemed to be having an adventure, highlighting their contrasting personalities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Practice being present and grateful in each moment rather than worrying about the future or regretting the past.
- Cultivate a sense of humor and avoid taking yourself too seriously.
- Nurture close relationships and be willing to do the work of self-examination to sustain love.
- While exploring philosophies can provide comfort, be open to the rawness of unknowing.
- Simple acts of ethical behavior like trying to be a little better each day can lead to moral development.
- Finding joy through nurturing others is a wise form of selfishness.
- Accept the inevitability of death as a call to truly live while you're alive.
- Even long-standing practices like meditation require recommitting to consistency.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Every day, get up and try to be a little better. That's all.“ by Ted Danson
- “You know, it's kind of this wake up call where I realize that wait a minute, these last moments or hours or whatever or sometimes days I've been to unconscious a little bit and just doing things by rote is, Ted, this is your life. This moment is your life. What are you doing?“ by Ted Danson
Entities
Company
Person
Service
Book
Show
Episode Information
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Ten Percent Happier
6/28/24
A self-described “silly man” tells us about what’s really important in life.
Ted Danson has an acting career spanning over four decades. He rose to prominence in the 1980s with his iconic portrayal of Sam Malone in the long-running sitcom "Cheers," earning him critical acclaim and multiple awards. Danson's charisma and acting prowess have since led him to a myriad of diverse roles, including his Emmy-nominated performances in "Damages" and "Fargo." Most recently, he starred in the existential comedy “The Good Place.” Beyond his acting career, Danson is also celebrated for his environmental activism and philanthropy, demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the screen. His next venture? A podcast with his old “Cheers” buddy, Woody Harrelson.
In this episode we talk about:
- meditation
- marriage
- hypochondria
- grief
- what he means when he calls himself a joy junkie
- what he learned from being on the TV show “The Good Place”
- and that time he did shrooms with his fellow cast members on “Cheers”
Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here
Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok
Ten Percent Happier online bookstore
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes
Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ted-danson
Additional Resources:
- Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.